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