Book Signing

Last week I was in Phoenix, Arizona on business and decided to look up a bookstore that someone had recommended. I found out that there was a book discussion/signing that night and decided to go rather than just sit in my hotel room. The name of the bookstore is "The Poisoned Pen" and here is the article about the author and book discussed. The book discussed is The Red Knife by William Kreuger. It was a well attended discussion and I found a new author. I did not buy the book discussed, but bought the first book in his series - The Iron Lake. I have started the book and like it pretty well so far.

Mr. Kreuger writes about a town in Minnesota and his main character is Cork O'Connor who is part Irish and part Native American. Cork is the former sheriff, now private investigator and in The Iron Lake he is investigating the murder of the town judge, and the disappearance of a local teen. The book has excellent descriptions and the characters are well described. I would recommend this book. Mystery is one of my favorite book genres and this book has not disappointed my expectations. Sometimes you need to sink your teeth into a good mystery. I look forward to having time to pick up this novel again and to reading more in the series.

Book Club

I belong to a book club that meets here in the Library Room in the Catalina Coffee House. My club just finished reading and discussing "Out Stealing Horses" by Per Petterson. This is a very well written book and my club enjoyed reading it and enjoyed the style of the writer.

Got Pins?

It has been quite a while since I have posted to this blog - what can I say life gets busy. This picture is of a block from the quilt that I am making for my dad. I will post a picture again once it has been completed.

Maureen

Birthday Placemat for Ellie

The picture above is the placemat that I made for Ellie, who turned five on November 9th. Unfortunately it is late as I had too many things going on the week of her birthday. But things have slowed down and I was able to finish it today. The fortune in the cookie says: "Those who have love have wealth beyond measure." Ellie is loved by all and is probably one of the wealthiest people in the world! Happy Belated Birthday Ellie! I hope you like the fortune cookie and the butterflies on your placemat!

Birthday Placemat

This is a picture of the placemat that I made for my daughter's birthday. I have been stressed lately by my decrease in funds, and have been trying to keep my sanity by doing knitting and/or sewing projects. I made this placemat as a fun gift for my daughter.

I got a new job in June and I love it. It keeps me very busy and is challenging. I am working in construction which is totally different from Human Resources. I make follow-up calls to find out about encroachment permits, as-built drawings of intersections, getting power to our systems and such. Today was a somewhat stressful day, but in general my job is less stressful than when I worked for a big corporation.

I am now an empty nester, but had originally thought that this would be an easy time in my life. Because I lost my job last year it is harder than I anticipated. But that is okay - I am starting to view it as a challenge - to write a new chapter and learn more about myself and my strengths. I am looking for a roommate to bring in more income and am also considering taking a part time job. I placed an ad at a roommate site a few days ago, and have had two interested people so far.

The room I want to rent is not ready at this time. I would take a picture - but I don't want to scare off the few readers that I have. The room is a storage/sewing room but still has items left from when my son and daughter moved out. One of the things I hope to accomplish soon is to clear out the room. I had planned to try to work on it tonight, but got sidetracked by an online chat, and then decided to finish my daughter's placemat.

Part of me is afraid to get a roommate, but it is a more immediate and cheaper solution than moving. I love my apartment and the few places that I have looked at are so small for not that much less money. So I will try the roommate thing. Even if it doesn't work out long term, it will allow me to save money so that I can afford to move if I need to.

Knitting Projects

This is my red scarf that I made for OFA's Red Scarf Project. I found a great variegated yarn that is red throughout but twisted with other colors: yellow, lavendar yellow and blue. I decided to make a hat to match since I had some leftover yarn.

The picture shown here was taken in San Francisco. I bought the t-shirt at Ghiradelli Square. It says "In the beginning there was the word. And the word was Chocolate. And it was good." It was too cute to pass up - so I had to buy it.

Last weekend my daughter and I visited my son in San Francisco. My son's new apartment is great and he is happy and healthy. Leaving was hard, but made a bit easier by the fact that I knew he had a nice place to lay his head, is safe and warm and not really that far away. I still miss him though.

You can see the two scarves that I made for 2007 here. I would like to write more, but I have revised this short post many times already because I am too tired. I will write more on me tomorrow - just wanted to post these pictures.

Sweater for Ellie

This is the first knitted sweater that I have made. It is for my friend's daughter, Ellie. It was fun to make and I hope she likes the ruffles on the bottom. I love working with varigated yarns because there are so many colors. Ellie loves red and I hope she loves this sweater. Her birthday is in November, but I doubt that I will wait until then to send it. Ellie lives in Boston with her mom, Kathryn, and her dad Dave. You can read about their adventures here.

Kabul - a poem

I am starting to read "A Thousand Splendid Suns" today and wanted to find the poem that the title came from. This poem was written in the 17th Century by Saib-e-Tabrizi

KABUL
(Translated by Dr. Josephine Davis)
Ah! How beautiful is Kabul encircled by her arid mountains
And Rose, of the trails of thorns she envies
Her gusts of powdered soil, slightly sting my eyes
But I love her, for knowing and loving are born of this same dust

My song exhalts her dazzling tulips
And at the beauty of her trees, I blush
How sparkling the water flows from Pul-I-Bastaan!
May Allah protect such beauty from the evil eye of man!

Khizr chose the path to Kabul in order to reach Paradise
For her mountains brought him close to the delights of heaven
From the fort with sprawling walls, A Dragon of protection
Each stone is there more precious than the treasure of Shayagan

Every street of Kabul is enthralling to the eye
Through the bazaars, caravans of Egypt pass
One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs
And the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls

Her laughter of mornings has the gaiety of flowers
Her nights of darkness, the reflections of lustrous hair
Her melodious nightingales, with passion sing their songs
Ardent tunes, as leaves enflamed, cascading from their throats

And I, I sing in the gardens of Jahanara, of Sharbara
And even the trumpets of heaven envy their green pastures

Randomness Meme #2

week of June24: TV favs
what is your favorite....

1. Tv show Grey's Anatomy
2. Snack while watching tv Popcorn - what else is there?
3. Tv personality Oprah Winfrey
4. Time to watch tv In the evening
5. Place to watch tv In my living room.

Back to the Rack - Saturday Special

1. What's the oddest thing you've ever returned?:Do you return things you don't like or just keep them?: I would have to say a car
   
2. Do you return things you don't like or just keep them?: I usually return them.
   
3. What's the largest item you've ever returned?: A car.
   
4. Have you ever returned a dress/outfit you wore to a special occasion?: No, I haven't.

Lensday Challenge: Sky

This picture was taken near Solvang. I don't remember the name of the lake but it is the perfect picture for today's word "Sky".

Ten Favorite Movies to Quote

The Princess Bride - "My name is Indigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." "As you wish".

Back to the Future - "You gonna order something, kid? Ah, yeah...Give me a Tab. Tab? I can't give you a tab unless you order something. All right, give me a Pepsi Free. You want a Pepsi, PAL, you're gonna pay for it."

Terminator - "I'll be back."

Young Frankenstein - "Wow, look at those knockers." "Want to go for a roll in the hay?" "What hump?"

Somewhere In Time - "Is it you?" "Come back to me."

Joe vs. the Volcano - "You mean you were diagnosed with something called a brain cloud and didn't ask for a second opinion?" "I tell you one thing, though. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we're gonna take this luggage with us! "

Overboard - "I was short and FAT?" "I remember you, you're that carpenter guy who hates me." "Mom's don't leave." "Mrs. Burbridge, would you come over here for a moment? Has it *escaped your attention* that these children have head to toe poison oak?"

Castaway - "WILSON." "I'll be right back."

Casablanca - "Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine."

Star Wars - "Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you're my only hope. "

Sunday Seven

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
Name seven television shows you’re ready to see new episodes of.

1. Lost
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. Desperate Housewives
4. Heroes
5. Brothers and Sisters
6. Ugly Betty
7. CSI: Miami

Randomness Meme

randomness...feed your mind and your blog
week of June17: random word association
I say...you think

1. red - white and blue
2. summer - fun
3. car - drive
4. book - read
5. kiss - hug
6. work - play
7. bird - fly
8. yogurt - strawberry banana
9. sand - beach
10. eyes - blue

till next time...

Saturday Six

1. Have you ever talked to your doctor about stress levels in your life? Yes, several times - it is important for my doctor to know about stress in order for him to be able to help me.

2. How likely are you to “let go” of something that stresses you out? Depends on what it is - much more likely now than in the past.

3. Does your family or your work cause the most stress in your life? Do you think your family members or co-workers realize how much stress they generate? Work causes more stress, but family can at times too. I don't think people realize the stress they cause me.

4. Take the quiz: Will You Live to 100?

Chance You'll Live to 100: 66%

100 is looking pretty likely for you right now. You've made your health a priority. So kick back, keep doing what you're doing, and enjoy the great life you've made for yourself. And you might get to see what the world is like 70, 80, or even 90 years from now.

5. When you think that you are at the breaking point, are you more likely to have an angry blow-up, a self-contained meltdown, or something in between? When was the last time you had such a moment? Something in between - usually I get very emotional and especially if I am tired. Can't remember when I last had a break down like that.

6. When you’re stressed out, what is the first clue someone who knows you well is likely to pick up on? Probably the appearance of my skin - it gets all blotchy.

Last week's Sunday Seven

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
Name seven favorite items on a Chinese buffet.

1. Beef and Broccoli
2. Sweet and Sour Chicken
3. Crab Wontons (P.F. Chang's!)
4. Almond and Cashew Chicken
5. Honey Crispy Chicken
6. Chicken Chow Mein
7. Lettuce Wraps

~In Two Words~ Saturday Special

1. Two words that describe you best?: Confident and caring.
2. Two words that describe your personality?: Fun and optimistic.
3. Two words that describe your taste in clothes?: Casual and tailored.
4. Two words that describe your home?: Relaxed and comfortable.

A Meme

I was reading a blog linked to a friend's blog and found this "meme". For definition of a "meme" click here. The blog where I found this meme is here. This particular meme looks like fun, so I have decided to try it. So here goes....

The rules:

1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged write a blog post about their own 8 random things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog you need to tag 8 people and post their names (I challenge my readers to add their answers to my blog and I will tag one person).
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’re tagged, and to read your blog (See 3 above).

The facts:

1. I bit my nails when I was in grade school. My friend Charlotte, who lived across the street and was a year older, bit her nails. I thought she was cool and wanted to be just like her, so I started biting my nails too. I stopped biting my nails when I got braces at age 11. The last time I saw Charlotte (at my wedding), she was still biting her nails.
2. I love to write letters - I had three pen pals when I was in high school. One from Trinidad, one from Finland and one from Australia.
   
3. I HATED typing class in high school. There was a boy in my class who teased me and told me that I would become a secretary. I got very angry and told him that he was wrong. Being able to type has helped me pay the bills for over 20 years. My job? An administrative assistance (politically correct term for secretary).
4. I was born with a cleft palate (a hole in the roof of my mouth). When I was a year old I got a candy cane stuck up there. Yikes! I had plastic surgery to correct it at age two and did not have speech problems or the need for speech lessons.
5. In the sixth grade I was one of the three tallest girls in my class. My class did "The Wizard of Oz" that year. If you tried out for a part and didn't get it, you were cast as a munchkin. I tried out for the part of the good witch and didn't make it. I was taller than Dorothy and the same height as the good and bad witch, yet I was a munchkin. Seems funny now as I look back, felt ridiculous at the time.
6. I was in a musical in high school called "Tin Pan Alley". I said something under my breath one day during rehearsal and someone repeated it. The teacher liked the line and it ended up being my line in the play. I also sang through a tire as one of the numbers.
7. I would love to be able to play the piano like a pro. I took lessons as a kid but didn't keep it up. I love watching and listening to people who can play the piano. They make it look so easy.
8. One of the greatest gifts my parents ever gave me was teaching me to read. In 2nd grade I got a "D" in reading and I remember my parents working with me with flash cards to improve my reading. I have loved reading every since and often times "devour" books in a day if I have the time and opportunity.

I am going to tag Kathryn to respond to this meme. No pressure, but it would be fun if you did.

Maureen

Graduation Day

This is me on Friday afternoon accepting my diploma for my Associate of Science in Business Administration. My daughter graduated with me and we managed to sit together (the school requested that we line up by height, but we cheated). Graduating with my daughter was so fun - as we stood in line to receive our diploma - she kept saying - "We're almost there". My mom and step-father took us out for dinner afterwards and we had a great time.

Yesterday she and I had a big graduation party with family and friends. My son barbequed chicken and steak, my sister brought her fabulous seven-layer dip, I made a great salad, and my daughter made the margaritas. We had a blast! I always enjoy watching my friends and family get together and watching them interact. It is just so great to see the people I care about talking to each other.

Transitions

The past year seems to be a period of transition in my life. I left my job of 15 years last June and have been working various temporary jobs since then. My current job is in transition – I am learning a new position that I will be moving into possibly in June or July. I am working part time in two different departments with the Motorcycle Division. I am still working temporary and would like to transition to a permanent position either here or at another company.

I am going to be an empty nester soon. My son is going to be moving to San Francisco late this summer and I will have my three bedroom place to myself. I am looking forward to it, but dreading it at the same time. I will enjoy the freedom of having all the space to myself and redecorating – but it has been over 20 years since I have lived alone. What an exciting change! I plan to do some major decorating all over the house! I plan to put up curtains in both the living room and dining room, turn one of the bedrooms into a sewing room and the other possibly into a guest room, a media room, or a library.

I am trying some new things as well. I have been making a prom dress for the past few weeks, and am looking forward to finishing it this weekend. I would like to do some sewing and possibly alterations as a sideline to earn some extra money. I need to see how this project works out first before I decide if I want to pursue that further.

I am doing some writing here and there (besides on my blog) and have done a few articles for Helium.com. You can find their site here: I happened upon this site by accident and have enjoyed writing for them. I hope to find some time soon to look at the different channels and pick some new subjects to write about. I would like to find a topic that I could do some research on and write a really top notch article. I will have to look at the list of magazines that are looking for articles. I tried to participate in the National Novel Writing Month last November, but life got busy and I didn’t really get off the ground. I did purchase the book and plan to try again this November.