Merry Christmas to All & May your season be Bright!

From my home to yours, Merry Christmas!!! May your holidays be safe not only for the season, but thoughout the year. I have been blessed since I've been blogging with you dear friends. I hope to make many more.

I hope you enjoy my Christmas surprise: My Christmas Village! Be sure and stick around for my personal holiday greeting at the end of all the village film. Roll it ............




I put up this village every year, and it is also added to every year with more buildings, features, people, etc. It takes a few days to assemble and sits on several tables. (You can imagine the maze of wires underneath, but even so it's very steamlined, where I can flip a switch that controls most of it.) When completed, it takes up most of our 8 x 40 glass porch. I don't stick to one particular name brand of buildings, I have all sorts of manufacturers represented here- it makes for much more creative freedom... and Some of the features are miniatures I tweaked to have a holiday spin.

What makes it even more fun is that there are a few elements in my village that are not usually found in a traditional Christmas village; such as a graveyard, a harbor, a haunted area, and even a "wrong side of the tracks".

This video was filmed, edited, and uploaded by my son-in-law- Thank you, Chris for taking the time to do this for me!

Thats all folks,I will see you in the New Year. Merry Christmas, Love you, Marie Antionette

My Tea Cup, More Christmas Vignettes, & an Award

My tea cup arrived from Sherry at http://ediemariesattic.blogspot.com/. To say it is beautiful ,is not enough to discribe this cup and saucer. I love it soooooooo much. I never was into China, although I always thought they were beautiful, I think I will start collecting tea cups now. My cup and saucer has apple blossoms on it,so very eleagant. Thank you Sherry again, believe me it will be cherished.I am going to post some of my Older Christmas goodies ,because I've hardly ever exposed them to anybody.I usually make an item and it sits on my doll shelves till someone notices them are I have company.Some have been on picturetrail,but thats about it.

Bayou Santa

Puppet Show:The Pupets really do work.This is a shadow box that winds up.It also has a drawer.

Santa's Secret Treasures of (Unicorns)

Trimming the Tree

Cowboy Santa:

I was just awarded an award from CK of http://www.designsbyck.blogspot.com/ This award is called the Marie Antionette award. A lovely award it is,yummmmmmmm, I wonder why. I'm not going to pass this award because I see so many of you lovely ladies have one already.I know you all deserve this award,so congrats to you all,And Chris I am honored you bestowed this award on me.You are a very talented artist,whom I enjoy visiting so much.Thank you sweet Chris.

Guess what!!!I was just awarded the Marie Antoinette award again. This time by the very talented and very beautiful Jenny of http://wondersofwhimsy.blogspot.com/She makes the most wonderful Doll art,beside other wonders.Thank you Jenny.

I hope yall enjoy these Christmas vignettes and stuff. I do have a surprise , for all of you coming after This Thanksgiving. I will not be posting until then. As you all know ,this is a very busy time.I do want to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving Day.Don't eat to much ,like that isn't going to happen. I'll be stuffing my face ,while going for thirds. LOL... XXXOOO Marie Antionette

The Winner Issssssssss !!!!!!!!

Hello my good ladies. Its Nov.8, and time to tell you who the winner is.I'm so happy to say, it is, Laura Ingalls Gunn!!! The name she chose for my Angel is, A Heavenly Note. Isn't it a beautiful name? But all the names were beautiful, so I'm saving everyone. AND whenever I make a new Angel,I will pick a name from this list,with your permission of course. I want to thank all the wonderful ladies and Gent, for partisapating in the drawing.It was the most fun and I'm looking forward in doing this again.

Now to tell you about the most fab. award I recieved from sherry at http://ediemariesattic.blogspot.com/. Its called, Awarded to a Lovely Lady. It was created by Joanne at My Little Cottage. Isn't it a very pretty award? Thank you Sherry. You are a most fav lady yourself.I had the pleasure of talking to Sherry on the phone.We could have talked all day,thats how much we have in common.What fun we would have if we lived near each other.Knowing me,I would have gotton us into something.Her Hubby Wes is also just the koolest guy.I have recieved a teacup, I will be posting it soon for I want to show it up right ,nice ,and pretty.Thank youuuuu !!!

The rules are that you are to choose people you blog with the most. So I'm not going to pass this award ,But any of the ladies that I blog with ,Please pick this award up. I love blogging with you all.you are my lifeline, and I appreciate each and everyone.Now I've been tagged by, La Donna Weller: http://ladonnawelter.blogspot.com/ This is a most talented lady as most of you already know.

The rules are to name 6 boring and quirky facts about myself. That will be easy for I bore my own self and I also have alot of quirks. I'm not going to pass this either,but if you would like to play .Then by all means take this tag.I love to play,but I know alot of you are busy and this is the holiday season.The days are shorter.There just don't seem enough hours in a day.

Here are my quirks:

1.I don't like change in anything.I won't change my hairdo,its been this way since I was a little girl.I listen to the same music and dance the same way,a bit slower of course.

2.I only eat good old southern country food or local fair.

3.I still belive children should mind you ,or else.No free range children for me.Just ask Alexia my daughter.

4. I like staying home .I like quiet most of the time.

5.I still have and wear old clothes, I've had for ever.

6.My hubby wants to buy me a brand new truck,but I can't give up my old one that I had since 1995. I even ride it though town with peacock poo on the hood.In fact I did that yesterday. My friend Bunny from bowling just shook her head. WHAt !!!I said.
Hey its paid for and my old truck may not be a beauty anymore, but it will run when your breaks down. Its a toyota !!!
Thanks you all again Hugs and kisses all around, Marie Antionette

Welcome to My Petit Trianon...

Bienvenue, Mademoiselles (Et Monsuiers)!

Many thanks to our hostess, Joy of CUPID'S CHARM, for the tres' amusant idea of a blog soiree' in honor of the birthday ofMarie Antoinette, last queen of France- November 2nd. After our visit, be sure to promenade' back over to her palace to visit the next lovely blog in the programme.
Everybody put on your most flaboyant wig, the taller the better... and away we go!

Me voici! (Here I am!) with the latest in Paris fashion ala' Photoshop...


Of course the event is catered by the délicieux LADUREE' of Paris... won't you have some macarons?

It's been said that the spectacular costumes from Soffia Coppola's 2006 movie Marie Antoinette were inspired by Laduree's gorgeous pastel colors- I think these shoes prove it:


Oh look, there's my daughter, the Princesse Alexia... Hey, isn't that my necklace and fan?!
What's that on her wrist? Oh, that is the M.A. ribbon bracelet she made last year- it is embellished with French silk ribbon and Swarovski crystals:

All of this grandiosity brings back memories... when I was a little girl growing up in New Orleans in the 50's, we sometimes went to masquerade balls- specifically, Mardi Gras balls of course! In the photo below, I am the little girl. I was a lady-in-waiting. The man in the middle is my father, and my little brother on the other side. They are dressed as 18th century pirates. Would have fit right in at one of Marie Antoinette's costume parties.. Wish this photo was in better shape, but it's been through a lot:

Now, who is that over there- what a flamboyant gown! It's a doll I made quite a while ago, not long after I first began making dolls. (LONG ago, hence the scratchy quality of the photo. Back then we weren't as careful when photographing my work. Sigh! Well, we've updated her for this soiree':

With what do you gift the Queen that has everything? Perhaps a trove of pearls, gems, and cameos? Silk roses? Slippers and fine textiles imported from the Orient? Limoges porcelain?

Or maybe a heavily embellished crazy quilted doorhang for the boudoir, inspired by M.A. colors?

Before you hop over to the next destination on the Soiree', allow me to remind everyone that I am having a givaway- help me pick out a name for my newest creation and you'll get something special from me... here is the post with all the details:
http://tonidolls.blogspot.com/2008/10/peacock-red-on-tree-thats-upside-down.html

Once again, many thanks to Joy of Cupid's Charm for coming up with and hosting the Marie Antoinette Birthday Blog Soiree. Au Revoir!!!

Peacock, Red ! On a tree thats upside down ?

Yes indeed, I made a tree thats upside down and has a beautiful peacock that is red, sitting on the very top. I hope you enjoy the redness of it all. LOL, This tree is about 23 inches tall, the plaque it is attached to is 20 inches long, and 11 inches wide in the middle. This is only the second upside down tree that I've made.
Here it is with the room lights turned down:

Now this heavenly Angel has no name yet ! Any ideas ? I'm open to suggestions.
It sits on a plaque, 11 inches long and 11 inches wide.The wings are made from my very own white peacocks.To view my white peacocks go back to post called My Peacocks. The piano is a music box, Not a jewerly box. It plays several different Christmas songs, I forgot how many but it is quite a few.It runs on an adapter.The keys on this piano really do move up and down. The piano is 6 inches tall, 10 inches long, and 9 inches wide.
You let me know any names you suggest,I'll put them in a bowl and let my grandson pick one name out. That will be the name I use. I just may have to send the winner a little something.That date would be.......Nov.8

Now let me tell you about the award I recieved from my very good friendhttp://tattingchic.blogspot.com/.This lady is just one of the most wonderful talented people I know.It is called the One Sweet blog award.

To quote the creator of this award who is Diane Evans:
she says, I have a special award for all the sweet blogs I visit...I am giving this award to all the wonderful people that I visit almost every day.... they have inspired me and shared their wonderful lives with all of us....I only ask that you nominate some of the wonderful you visit everyday. I'm not going to select anyone,because I think all my friends that I blog with deserve this award, instead, I'm going to share it with everyone. So if you would like this award , just pick it up with my heart felt thank you's to all of you. You have brought so much joy into my life. I think I would have sunk very low last June, before I started bloging.XOXO Marie Antionette

Now here are a couple of the most lovely things I've recieved in the mail. This is a beautiful pierrot doll I purchased from Denise at Couture De Papier:

I am going to use him as a decoration under my tree.I made up this box as a present and attached him to it. Didn't it come out just lovely. It sure is going to look beauitful under my tree this year. Denise is such a wonderful young woman.She sold this to me for practily nothing.I know she made nothing on this deal, What a sweetheart.

Would you believe that out of the goodness of her heart Veronica of BumbleVee sent me this gorgeous ,gorgeous material. Look at the colors!!! Isn't this peach lace to die for?

Now this is the lovely Angel, I've made with it. Its an Angel you can hang on your tree or on a doorknob or anywhere else you wish to hang it. I am so thrilled with this.
And a closeup:

I want to thank all these wonderful ladies.You are very dear to me.

I also want to take the time to let all my friends know that I am sorry for not visiting or posting anything new until now.I have been a little ill, but I'm trying to take care of the matter. Again, If it wasn't for my daughter editing and posting these pictures ,I couldn't have done it. It took me awhile to get these items made. Most of them were premade already,I just had to add this and that. Hugs and kisses all around, Marie Antionette

A Birthday Blog Soiree' for the Famous Queen of France...

Joy over at Cupid's Charm has come up with a great idea: a blog birthday soiree' in honor of France's most stylish and admired queen!

So sashay on over to her lovely blog to get the details, I just know it's going to be tres' chic!!!

Tale of the Ghostly Ride.

Gather around my blogging friends, and listen to this spooky tale.On a hot muggy Halloween night, I live way down south, so yes, muggy. I was walking along,when I beheld a sight I'll soon not forget. I couldn't belive my Near sighted eyes. In the north forty I saw this vision sitting on a motley white horse. I wasn't sure,but it had to be a Ghost. It called to me in my peabrain. Follow MEEEEEEEE, Follow meeeeeeeee. I did.


It lead me to a very creepy grave yard. I didn't see it at first. I was to spooked. Then there crouching by a grave stone, There it was. Looking for all the world, so sad and forlorn. Poor little Ghost.I tried to go to her, to see what I could do to help the poor little lost soul, but she disapeared. Till this day I never knew who she was. The grave did not give up any secrets, for it was so old that the name wasn't there anymore. And whatever happened to that poor old motley horse?

From here I'll let my daughter Alexia tell you.....The rest of the story.

Boo! But the ghost was just me, Alexia, when I was 12. It was probably the first costume I ever made all by myself with no help, and boy did folks get a kick out of it that Halloween night. The fabric was some old curtains I found in the attic. The horse was our Arabian mare, Touche', and she was actually a beautiful critter- but she totally did not appreciate being pulled out of her stall at sunset to have some wooleybooger jump on her back for a photo-op. She hated the swooshy sound of my curtains. And lucky for us, she backed her ears and eyes and looked super spooky for the picture.

So after she got too onery for more pictures that night, we quickly jumped in my Dad's mustang and drove out to Turtleskin cemetary, one of the spookiest in the area, for more photo ops. You may find that odd of us to do; but our family outings were always to places like Indian mounds, old falling down, rotting houses, and yes, even the DUMP. Don't ask. Disneyworld? HA! Six Flags? Forget it! Creepy old forts by mossy, abandoned graveyards? Color us there!!!

Anyway, not to toot my own horn (TOOOT!!!) but i'm pretty good at theatrical makeup. I totally missed my calling. Other kids used to come over and have me do their make up before trick-or-treat. Speaking of, I found this horrible lil' zombie in my living room last year...


Oh wait! That's just my son Courtland after a dose of my mad makeup skillz. Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, Marie Antionette & Alexia Antoinette

I was Tagged by a Beauty...

I was tagged by the beautiful Priscilla of Casa Bella Chic. I know everyone has been tagged, at one time or many times before, and at this busy time may feel they just can't deal with it right now.

So I'm not going to pass it.This is what I'm going to do, if you don't mind Priscilla. Anyone who would like to play this wonderful tag, cause I think its a good one, please feel free to do so. And if you want to pass it, just pick some folks who you think would get a kick out of it, and tag em.

Here are the tags:

Name 7 things,you would like to do before you die.

1.Make sure,Im around long enough to see my grandson grown with a healthy, thriving, and loving family.

2.Make sure my daughter is secure in her life,because thats what parents do,make sure they had more than you did. I want her happy.

3. I would love to go to Ireland or Austrailia.But I don't see that happening, because, I won't leave any of the Southern states.

4. I would love to sew better.

5. I wish I could have another horse,but I don't know how that would happen either. Its hard to take care of them proper these days.

6. I would like to see my pond built real soon, so I can enjoy it now, not when I'm to feeble to walk out to it.LOL

7. Well of course,If I were Queen of the world. There would not be all this crap around the world, that includes the states. As Queen ,I would know the truth and one wrong move, because I can be the B word and not give second chances. Lets just say it would not be pretty. Its peace or no peace for you!!!

7 things I do now:

1.I love my family of course.

2.My husband of 36yrs is still the love of my life.

3. I love my home and I don't mind staying put.

4.I have great friends and made new ones blogging,this brings me alot of joy.

5. I love raising my peacocks and Koi fish.They bring me peace.

6.I love my bowling, although I'm not good at it.

7. I love my music of the 50's,60, and of course a few of the others, country.I love my TV shows and movies. And I do love creating.


7 things I can't do:

1.I can't carry a tune whats so ever. (note from Alexia: think of the sound of a cat caught in a bag of tacks ridin down a gravel road in a rusty Wal-Mart shopping cart with 3 squeeky wheels and you'll get the picture. HAHAAA!)

2.I can't dance like I use to, this makes me very sad.

3. I just can't say I'm going to Florida and visit my family, cause I can't drive that far.

4. I can't be a barmaid anymore, cause who wants an older women waiting on them. Even if i still have my looks somewhat LOL .This world is only geared up for the young as far as I'm concern.

5. I can't take hiking or fishing trips into the woods, anymore. Afraid I would fall and break something. I use to be able to walk on logs that layed across the creeks when we would go through the woods fishing. Hubby and me would walk miles along the creeks. looking for fishing holes. It would be nothing for snakes to crawl on top of our boots.

6.Can't find shoes to fit me, that look good. I have to buy them in the kiddie section.

7.I can't make the world better,because I'm not the Queen of the world.


7 things that attract me to the opposite sex:


1.Tall dark and handsome,with blue eyes.

2. Must be a duke or something. LOL

3. Have a wonderful personallity

4. Clean shaven, nicely dressed.

5. Don't wear colone that smells like watermelon or fru fru. I like the old time smells. English Leather, British Sterlin, Old Spice, Aqua Velva. I want a man to smell like a man.

6.Don't get me wrong, there are some great looking rednecks. So I love those too.

7. He must be military or was once in the military. My hubby was and always will be a Marine. I met him when he first came home from Viet Nam. He had that marine core figure and looked like he could take care of me in all ways, And he still does. He is a man. I've always been around men, so I know a man when I see one. Although Rock Hudson fooled me.LOL Drat him..

7 things I say most often:

1.Dog it:they use to make fun of me when I was tending bar, for say that instead of cussing

2. Thats to die for, or thats drop dead gorgeous

3. I can't win for loosing

4. To bad, so sad

5. Don't make me mad,you won't like it.

6. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place

7.Crappyoileo, Geezum
NOTE FROM ALEXIA: One time after a nighttime hurricane, when the electricity was out, she said "It sure is dark when the lights are out." HAHAHA Oh man that was hilarious. We'll never let her live it down. She's always saying things like that, and I still call up my best friend since childhood to pick about it when she does. (Uh, yes, we're 35 years old but that don't stop us.)

7 Celebrities that I admire:

1. Sean Connery- Always handsome, still is at his age.His voice is to die for.

2.The great Paul Newman, what a sad thing his passing is.I will miss him.

3. Sarah Palin,because my way of thinking is.She is a very strong woman,who is not ashamed of anything she does ,why should she be. I don't believe in hunting, but men hunt all the time. Moose is not an endangered speices. So she is a woman who hunts so what. I don't understand the hype,Well yes I do. I don't think her daughter should be brought into the fray. She made a mistake.Who hasn't. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. I admire her parents for sticking by her side. Leave the children alone.

4.David Archeletta- I admire him ,because he sings like an Angel and looks like one too.He stayed sweet thoughout the contest on American Idol.He should of won.The other David was good, but he sounded exactly like Hootie of the blowfish, I mean exactly. Who needs another Hootie?

5.Carrie Underwood,who I new would win American Idol as soon as I saw her. She was not only a talented singer, but remained gracious,and still is gracious. Faith Hill has always been my fav, but she disapointed me when she made that face and remark during an award show that Carrie won. She did not know she was on camera. That was very ungracious, Just like another lady did once, Could that be Hillary C??? What B's.

6.Of course the great John Wayne

7.And the great Walt Disney

7 Foods I like:

1.Fried Chicken

2.Steak.

3. A beautiful green salad with ranch dressing

4. A big baked potato with lots of butter and sour cream.

5.Greens, mustard, turnips, Cabbage anything like that

6.Any kind of veg.

7. Of course any deserts.


Thats the End! XOXO Marie Antionette

Fall Here Already?!

Well I know we are all busy getting ready for the fall season. One lady asked me if I went from summer straight to Christmas. Here is the answer. I usually make a couple of items for each season, but because I was kind of ailing for awhile, I did not make much. Especially for Halloween. Since I love Christmas more. I started making my stuff or whatever comes to my peabrain to make. Sometimes, I come up with the lamest creations. LOL Anywho, I don't have much to show for this year,so I decided just to show you a few things I made before I got illing.

I am working on a couple of Christmas projects, but it takes time for some of the things I do, mostly because since I've started back to crafting. I cannot find some of the items I need . On that note, I hope you enjoy what I have to show.
I want to take this time to thank all of you for the support and outpouring of the most wonderful comments I recieved on my blog about my bartending days. And the concerns about the storms that have hit our southern states. May God bless each and every one of you. Hugs and an abundance of kisses..Marie Antionette

More Awards !!! I feel so loved.

Yes I do!!! I have made so many blogging buddies .To me you are not just blogging buds. I really feel that we are becoming wonderful friends. Thank you all soooooo much. XOXO Marie Antionette Here's some extras XXOO !!!

Here is an award I recieved from http://ediemariesattic.blogspot.com/, It is an, I love your Blog award. Thank you so much Sherry, you are always a good blogging friend, and so very talented. You are a blessing. PS. Edie Marie's Attic is having her 100th post anniverisary. to celebrate this occasion, she is having a grand give away. Just go visit her and join in the fun.

Rules are:

Here are the rules for this award:1. Please put the logo on your blog. 2. Link theperson from whom you received the award.3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs. 4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog. 5. Leave amessage on their blogs to tell them.

I am so happy to pass this award to 7 of my very good friends who 's blogs I love to visit.These are very talented ladies and a gentleman, and a must to visit. Each one is very unique.

1. Nancy - Fete et Fleur

2. Denise-Couture De Papier

3.Chris-Design by CK

4.Donna-La Donna Blog Welter

5.Pear-Pearls Sentimental Journey

6.Connie-Magnolia Street Style

7.Lori-Faerie Windows

Here is the second award from another talented and gracious lady.This lady can do some tatting,let me tell you.You should see her work.Please go and visit Tatting chic . She has not only helped me, She also given tatting guidnce to my daughter Alexia Genteel Poverty This award has no rules,s o I'm pleased at punch, because I just learn how to do all this today, now I'm gave out. LOL I'm not as gracious as Tatting Chic, who passed it anyway. Love you guys Marie Antionette

An Award for Me !!!!!!!!

The Blogging Friends Forever Award...

I want to thank Lavenia of Birdhouse Chronicles for giving me this wonderful award.I always appreicate these awards that are given to me.You are a very sweet lady Lavinia.You always show your support.I appricate you. So thank you again.

The Blogging Friends Forever Rules are: 1. Only five people allowed. 2. Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog. 3. One has to be someone new, or recently new to your blog, or live in another part of the world. 4. You must link back to whoever gave you the 'Blogging Friends Forever' award. I really don't know any newbies so I will have to kind of guess at that one.

1.Constance of Rochambeau:You are a gracious lady.One of my favs.

2.Darly of Daisy's Little Cottage. You were the first to offer your support. You sweet thang.

3. Kellie of Paper Cat Designs: What a cutie you are. Always there supporting Marie.

4. BeBe of Peaches and Dreams:You have become one of my bst buds on this blog.

5.Penny of Lavender Hill. You were also a great lady and You always have a kind word.

If any I have chosen feel they have to many of these, or cannot find the time to retrieve this award, have no fear. I understand if you cannot do so. This is a busy time. Thank you and May God bless you all. Marie Antionette

Bartending, Redneck Style

First let me say, nobody calles me Marie around here except a few friends and family. They call me Toni, short for Antionette, as they've called me since I was a preteen. Now!!! I can't tell you the more colorful stories about my bartending days, because it would offend some folks, but I will tell you about a couple of chararters that I know.

I started bartending, or "barmaiding" as the local rednecks say, about 1984. (Around here, you're not a bartender unless you're a man. You're a barmaid.) The bar I worked in was called "Clydes", named after Clyde, my boss. Clyde is a local WW2 hero who faught close with Audie Murphy (a world famous actor and later country music composer)- so the story goes. This is Clyde. He's holding a sign that says, "Will Work for Sex". He's such a card. The tiny christmas tree with dollars to the right is where we would hang our tips during the holiday season- a gentle hint.

I've known Clyde since 1965, when I first moved here to Picayune MS. from New Orleans. When I arrived here I thought I was in an alien world. Where the hell am I? This town only had 2 red lights. OMG!!! Clyde had the only car garage that I knew of. I dated and went to prom with Clyde's son, Little John. (Yes 2 names. Everybody has two names here.) Anyway , I digress. Clyde's garage, in the years to come, became Clydes Bar- one of the most notorious bars in this part of MS. I wish I had a picture of the bar itself: It was a plain square, blue cinderblock building- except that on the front was a huge mural of Clyde's face morphed into a frothy beer mug, with the froth being the beard and mustache. It was sooo tacky, but a landmark nonetheless. I will add a picture of this when I find it, it's a must-see-to-appreciate thing.


He kept asking me to work for him, but I refused because I never in my life did anything like that. I could not even run a register! Well something tragic happened in my life: I lost my younger brother in Germany on that damn Autobahn. Enough of that part. When Clyde asked me to work one night again. I said no, but my husband said: why not, it may take your mind off your brother for awhile. Well that awhile became 18 years. I started working when I was about 33, working till I was about 51.
At that time, when our town was still tiny, I was different looking than most women around here, maybe somewhat exotic looking. I'm Spanish, French, & Scotch-Irish decent, of course some Native American thrown in. I Also dressed differently than the other barmaids. I would wear dresses instead of the ragged T-shirts and holey jeans. Of course I wore the raggedy stuff at home, but... I figured Men like a woman in a dress and thats who really does the tipping- men! I never cursed or smoked. In fact, I never smoked in my life. I learned most men don't like that either. Everyone came to see me, when word got out.

Would you believe I became a very good barmaid. Clyde's being the neighborhood bar and knowing most of the people cause I went to school or the local dance center as a teen, where I was a GoGo dancer, white boots and all. I made alot of tips- More than any of the other barmaids. My daughter Alexia use to stay up and wait for me so she could count them. She got a kick out of that and it funded our trips to the mall or water parks. I learned how to play pool pretty good, so I won a few tournaments, that was fun. I still could dance. I also became known for that. Not a hoochie mama dancer- I mean the same dancing I did when I was a teen gogo dancer. I had a blast. I loved going to work. Barmaids came and went, but I was a fixture, became known as the top barmaid around.

I learned right off to keep my mouth closed and not reveal certain things. I could write a book, on some of the things I saw and heard. I had dirt on local bigwigs who were supposed to be "pillars of the community" that would make a rockstar blush. Trust me, that dirt will go to my grave with me. That discretion got me respect and protection. The other thing that got me respect was the fact that everyone knew I didn't put up with shenanigans. If someone got too rowdy and bothered me or the other customers, or was doing something illegal, I'd give them one warning, and then I'd call the police. Period. This kept them in line. It also got me notoriety on the local police dept, and kept the police from hanging around outside as much as they did other bars- they knew i'd call them if anything was out of the way! And I think being on good terms with officers may have kept me from being pulled over a few times when I had a lead foot.

Below is a picture of Mr. Joe Dollar. He is no longer with us, May God bless his poor tormented soul. He is about 88 here in this picture. Living in a shack on a lake with no electricity, He never changed with the times as most people do. He tried to dicatate my life at work, when some man or someone he did not like became too familiar. First he started with little notes, or newpaper clippings, he'd say, "You should not talk to so and so, stay away from so and so" things like that. Then he started sending me little gifts, like bottle openers or Mardi Gras beads, just little things like that.

I knew things were getting out of hand, but I did not want to hurt the old man's feelings. My husband said I would have to put a stop to it. Finally I had to tell him he could not come in unless he stopped what he was doing. I hated that. He started out at first like a sweet old man. But he eventually showed that he was such a bigot and said the most hateful things about people. So enough was enough. To be a good female bartender, you have to put a certain distance between yourself and the customers, no matter how friendly.

Below is a picture of Mr. Paul. He is about 67 here. But let me tell you- If I was older and single. I would have snapped him up. He was the most fun to be around. He told me stories and jokes, making me laugh so hard, I really did wet my pants one time. I'm not kidding. He is from N.O. too. He told me things he did in the French Quarters, that would turn you purple. I wish I could tell you a couple of stories, but I can't remember them- only the WAY he told them. He would start every story with, "...This is a true story..." or sometimes he'd pause in the middle and say, "you know, this is a true story..." and then go on. The thing is some of the tales were unbeliveable, but you knew they were true somehow!!! I think I was a little in love with him. He's not doing so well right now. He should be in his late 70's. What a good looking man for his age. He is the one who cut out my plaques for me on some of the older dolls I made. But his hands started shaking too badly, so now I just cut them myself. Note the sign on the pole that says, "NO ONE ON THE BAR AT ANY TIME." Heehee!
Let me tell you about Alice. She was the barmaid who opened with Clydes. I've known Alice since I first moved to Picayune. She was one of the first girls I met there. She just died a couple of weeks ago. Alice was, well, Alice. She never changed except she did find the Lord in her last year. She had a very rough life. I can't find a picture of her- but when you picture a redneck barmaid, you see her. The song "White Rabbit"... by Jefferson Airplane, that was her... "Go ask Alice, when she's 10 ft tall..." She was into everything that was bad for her. As soon as she taught me the basics of bartending, she just didn't want to work anymore. Even the local police never stopped her when she was acting out.They didn't want to cope with her! I've always loved Alice and it brings tears to my eyes, when I know the kind of life she had. But for all of her roughness, Alice had a very deep soul. She was very kind hearted, would give you her last penny.
I could go on and on. There are so many who came into my life while working. Some are gems, some are the scum of the earth. I will tell you this: NEVER judge a book by its cover. Because some who came in looking like bums turned out to be the most decent hard working people, who today I call friends. And some of the best dressed and smooth of tongue were the lowest form of humanity I ever had the misfortune to meet.

Hail, Hail the Gang's all here.This is most of my diehard, never want to leave customers. All in all, a bunch of good people who just want to have a few drinks after work and a good time. The guy in the camo jacket is my husband of 37 years, Bill.

Eventually, Clyde least the bar out to a very young uppity girl, who thought she was going to change it all... make it more for "her crowd". She certainly did that! She got rid of me and some of the older paying customers, so that she could turn Clyde's into a yuppie bar- with the under 25 set who nursed their drinks all night, didn't tip, and were there to have a different kind of good time. The bar shut down in less than a year. Clyde never reopened due to his wife's illness. That was that. The End. There were alot of in betweens... But Isn't there always? Hugs, Marie Antionette

Note from Alexia (Genteel Poverty): I also tended bar for several years at an equally rough but not as notorious local bar. It used to irk me so bad, my customers would refer to me in third person as "Toni's daughter" and sometimes when addressing me directly, "Toni Junior". LOL! I never quite was able to garner the respect she got, but I know why. She enjoyed her job so much that she was just a natural at any situation that cropped up, playing things off lighthearted while getting things done right. One day I will tell you about the time when she broke a pool stick over a (very disrespectful) young man's head without getting a hair out of place or a wrinkle in her shirt. It's a local legend.


Other stories from Marie's Barmaid Memoirs

#2 BARMAID'S STORY  Click Here

#3 THE LEGEND OF THE POOL STICK INCIDENT  Click Here

#4 A FUNNY BAR STORY  Click Here