A New Year and a New Pin!!!

I finally got my titleholder pins!!!! Since my speech at ILSb-ICBB 2015 was such a hit, I decided to take that theme 'NO MORE BOXES' and create my pin. They are for sale, $5 each. If you want one, contact me at swcbb2015@gmail.com; or find me around town. I will have them with me at SWLC in Phoenix. 

I am finally getting a handle on my health, and am feeling so much better. I have started a new fitness program. I go to the fitness room here at our apartment complex and ride the recumbent bike every day for about 5 miles. Then I work out on a few of the machines several days a week, strengthening my abs, back and legs. Waiting to get permission to start working my upper body. The scale doesn't say I have lost any weight, but my clothes are starting to fit funny. I have decided not to make it a goal to lose weight, instead focusing on getting more healthy and in shape. I figure by doing this, the weight will take care of itself. Although most of the time I am in the fitness room by myself, I have found by taking my Kindle Fire, I can read my way through the miles and actually can go longer and work harder. If I sit there watching the time or distance, I 'get tired' and give up. I actually did an experiment on this, and the days I read, I was able to go the 5 miles and didn't realize it. So that is what I am doing. The added benefit is that I am getting to read which is a love of mine.

We are starting the last two months of our title year, and the SW Leather title family have a great event planned on Jan 16th. It is Casino Nights, to be held at Bunkhouse Saloon. All the proceeds will be given to Mama Sandy for her pet project, Project Sunset. This is the project in San Francisco that works with kids affected by AIDS/HIV. She collects toys and gift cards to provide Christmas to children that might not have what the rest of us enjoy. Mama Sandy is very special to the SW Leather Title family, and it is our pleasure to honor her in this manner. Come on out, play some casino games, participate in silent auction, raffle, beer bust and jello shots. We will have entertainment, and a very special surprise. 

Enough? Not Enough?

(DISCLAIMER:  This post deals with some serious issues of self worth)


I've been struggling with feelings of enough vs not enough in several areas of my life, most especially my title. I knew going into the year that it would be tough due to the surgery in May. I had that conversation with my producer before I even ran for the title, as I wanted him to understand that for several months it would be difficult for me to get around. We worked through that, and got to Dallas just fine. However, now that Dallas has come and gone, at first I was at a loss. 

As soon as we got home, we had a contest that we had promised to be at so jumped right into that and had a great time. But then life reared its' ugly head and I had to focus on issues at home. Thus is the life of living with a spinal cord injury patient. 

I do not want to use Daddy as an excuse for not doing things in our community, but she does come first and when I am needed to help her, I will do that. Also, living on a very fixed income provides its' own challenges. 

What I struggle with, I guess, is that I am not out in the community doing what I really wanted to do with this title. I wanted to be out teaching and sharing my passion. I am not sure how to do that right now. But what people are not seeing is what I am doing right from own living room. 

In the past month or two, a couple of people have reached out to me for help in preparing for various contests around the country. So my dream of doing contest prep is starting to come true. It is a start. I am bringing back the Valley of the Sun Bootblack Bee...a casual time of bootblacking held in my home once a month. The first one will be Oct 25th. Not sure how many people will show up, if any, but it is a start. I know that there are several people locally that have asked for me to help them learn leather care, so hopefully they will come to that. 

I am also working on something for the new year, plans are coming together for that and am planning on making that announcement at the end of the month. 

I know people say that I can make my title year my own, but to be honest, I feel like I haven't made it anything at all. Will have to think more on this, and figure out a way to do that. 

(I discovered that this had not been published when I wrote it. I debated on just deleting it, but decided to go ahead and publish it.)

SW Bootblack Boot Camp 2016

My dream is to teach bootblacking to anyone that wants to learn, and to provide opportunities for learning. Ever since Southern Sole happened, I wanted to do something like that on the west coast, as it was hard for some people to get back east for Southern Sole. With the support of Daddy Tyr, the beginning of that dream is in the works. 

SW Bootblack Boot Camp 2016 is scheduled for Feb 26-28, 2016!!!!! It will be held in Phoenix at various locations. On Friday night, we will meet at a local bar for Cigars and Chocolate  cake, as well as getting to know each other. This will be open to the public as well. Saturday will be full of classes/workshops on different aspects of bootblacking, and everyone will have the chance to actually work on some boots. We will enjoy dinner as a group before heading over to Anvil, our local leather bar, to support the Phoenix boys of Leather's Gear Night. 

For me, the most exciting part of the weekend happens on Sunday. We will be leaving Phoenix bright and early and head up to Snowflake, AZ to tour the Huberd's Factory. I have been trying to get there for a tour for several years, and they finally agreed to it. Huberd's as also agreed to be a sponsor for the weekend. 

A dear friend, Redwarrior, will be coming down from Alaska to help me with the weekend. I met Redwarrior when she was ICBB 2010, and am so looking forward to hosting her for the weekend. Another instructor is Wicked Jade, Philadelphia Bootblack 2015 and another dear friend. Daddy Tyr is helping out, and is in charge of the Friday night social. 

I don't know how well this will go over, am hoping it is successful. I have been thinking about what I would consider successful, and finally came up with the answer. If just one person attends and learns something new, then it will have been worth it. It is time to start advertising the weekend, I want to make sure that as many people are made aware of the weekend. 

I Have A Dream

The last few days have been really difficult for me. I had to face reality, and sometimes that is extremely hard to do. So let me back up a bit.

I had been asked to run for SW Community Bootblack 2016. I thought about it, asked people I respect for their opinions, and had just about decided to go ahead and do it. Then the 1st of the month rolled around, and that is the day that I sit down and distribute the money I receive each month. After paying all the bills that I am required to pay out of my check, and looking at how Daddy's check was going to play out, I saw that we were left with a small amount of money to get us through the month. This was all before I even went to the store to get the groceries and other items that we, our beloved children and our home would need till the next time we were graced with some cash. I have lived like this for so long, that I can't even imagine what it would be like to be able to pay all our bills each month, and still have money left over to buy groceries AND have fun money. 

Competing is expensive, being a titleholder is expensive. I know that, I knew that before I ever competed in the first contest back in 2012. But I have a dream, so Daddy helped me fulfill that dream. As much as I want to go back to IlSb-ICBB and compete again....and win ICBB, it would not be fair to Daddy, our dogs, our home, and even myself to move forward with something that would jeopardize the safety and well being of our family. 

Yes, being a titleholder is special, it opens doors. It allows you to go and do things that possibly you wouldn't be able to do without that patch on your back. But holding a title brings responsibilities, and if I am going to hold another title, I want to make sure that I am in a position to make that year the best year possible. 

I have decided that I am not going to compete in 2016. I am going to focus on improving my health, and my family. I am going to open the doors to our home once a month for the Valley of the Sun Bootblacking Bee - in the hopes that people who have asked me about learning more about bootblacking will come and learn. I will continue to teach, wherever I am able, and work on some projects that I have floating around in my head. I still have a dream, not the same dream as a year ago, but I still have a dream.

Boxes - My ICBB 2015 Speech video

Thoughts on my weekend at ILSb-ICBB 2015

I am now in the air, literally, as I attempt to gather my thoughts about the experience I just went through. No one could have prepared me for the roller coaster ride I was going to embark on once I arrived in Dallas. Forget the excitement of no water or AC in our hotel, which was beyond the control of anyone there. It does provide common ground for the Class of 2015... the only commonality of our collective experiences. The months of preparation have finally paid off, SW Leather Trident had arrived and was ready to take Dallas by storm. 

Meeting our classmates face to face finally, after chatting for weeks. I truly felt like we were experiencing something special during the medal ceremony. Emotions were high, and you could truly feel like we were united. Then, walking down that center aisle and up on stage hearing my name announced as 'representing the SW region'....I can't describe it. I was not alone, and I was not doing this for myself. I WAS representing my entire family that were back home in AZ, NM, and NV. Hearing my friends and family cheer as I walked to that stage, it took every ounce of willpower to not cry. It was a good thing the staff kept preaching to us to smile.

My original intention in writing this was to share my entire weekend, but I am struggling to find the words. So I will hit the highlights. I first thought that the best part of the weekend was meeting, for me, a legend... Master Jack Peace. I loved finally getting that chance, however the best part happened on Saturday night. As we waited in the back for our turn on stage to give our speech, my nerves got the better of me. My speech was absolutely gone. The staff was amazing, the calmed me down and encouraged me. It was my turn on stage and as I walked down that aisle, my eyes focused on the stage so I could not see the love of my life. The cheering of my friends and family let me know that no matter what happened that night, all would be well. I took the microphone in my hand, took a deep breath and opened my mouth. I poured my heart and soul out to those listening. I was so focused on getting the microphone back onto the stand and off the stage before bursting into tears that I did not hear the crowd. It was later that I heard the applause on the video. I broke down inthe arms of one of the staff members back stage. I was done, there was nothing left. I truly felt like I had messed that speech up totally. I was so ready to apologize to my family and producers for disappointing them. Then it was time to return to the stage for the announcement of winners. I had convinced myself that Briar was going to win the Golden Brush award that I was absolutely in shock when it was my name announced. OH my gawd....this award did not come from judges....it came from my peers. I am still in shock over it. Then to share that excitement with my family....what a thrill. It actually was anti-climactic to find outI was First Runner up.

I know Briar will be an amazing ICBB2015, and I will be right there ready to help her in any way she needs. I am honored to have shared this weekend with her, and to get to know her.I am returning to my SWLSB-CBB family ready to continue our work. There are bootblacks to be birthed and raised in AZ, NM, and NV. I have some really exciting ideas for our region, and look forward to sharing them with everyone soon.

There are so many people to thank. I could not have done what I did this weekend with the loving support of Daddy Tyr. She believed in me when no one else did, she would not let me quit when I wanted to walk away. She allowed me to compete in March, even though she felt it was not in my best interest. I hope she feels differently now. To Mom & Dad, you supported me even though you didn't quite get what was happening. Your love and acceptance means the world to me. Thank you. Daddy Mark and Rocko...how do I thank you? You put up with health emergencies, transportation issues and my stubbornness. I love you both and hope we can continue working together to make our region strong. Sir
Joe and boy Tater, you showed me what it meant to be family, and you are both
Leathermen I am proud to call family. Sir Bill and Garrett, the months before this weekend were rough, but you stood beside not only your partner but by Daddy and I. Thank you. To Sir Greg and Syr Evan, thanks are not enough. You have made a difference in my life, I hope to be able to pay that forward. Jeffrey Payne, I am so grateful for everything. I love you. To the entire staff and volunteers of ILSB - ICBB2015, you are awesome!!!!!!!!!

A very special thank you must go out to the men and woman of the ILSB - ICBB class of 2015.....you are truly an amazing representation of what it means to be leather. Your home regions have every reason to be proud of you! Sir Tug, boy Jim and Briar, I am ready to assist you this year with anything you may need. Our home is always open for you. Each of you are so deserving of the title you now wear.

Contestant Medallion, Golden Brush Award, 1st Runner Up Medallion

BOXES (My ICBB 2015 Speech)

This past weekend was ILSb-ICBB 2015 in Dallas, TX. I am still processing the entire weekend, so will post those thoughts soon. I wanted to put the video of my speech here, but can't figure out how to do that. So will post the text of it.

Boxes - an amazing invention used to store items.  However, they were never intended to store people. Society truly enjoys putting human beings in a box. When people fight against being put into whatever particular box society wants them in, they are then labeled a rebel.

For many years, I had been sealed in a box that had been labeled by others. After meeting Daddy Tyr, she broke the seal on my box (chuckle) and removed the labels that had been placed upon me. As our relationship blossomed, she encouraged (chuckle) and yes, sometimes pushed me to step out of that box. It was only when I climbed out of that box during the SW Leather Contest in March that I finally felt accepted for me. This acceptance brought about a transformation in every aspect of my life, most especially my bootblacking. Society wanted to label my box lover, caregiver, slave, bootblack, mother, sister.  Fuck those other labels, I AM CHERIELLE, nothing less!

We - you, you, you  and every member of OUR community have already been labeled as outlaws and rebels, so I declare this the YEAR OF NO BOXES. Let’s live our life authentically, without fear of what others think. Because when each of us live our lives according to OUR truth, we will be able to make a positive change in our world. The way I see it, we can’t see outside the box when we are still in it.

SO, I challenge you to break…. No…. EXPLODE out of whatever box you have been put in, THRIVE and help others to do the same!