Happy New Year...

.. and as 2009 rolls to an end I wish you all well. Just a little update on the sailor and his bride. He will be at school in Pensacola Florida to learn his Navy job until around March and then will learn where their home base will be. My darling daughter in law ever the adventuress took off to drive there with two sisters and a friend. Made it after a few nights on the road and one visit to Texas grandma. She was insistant to not allow him to have Christmas without her so they have been in the rented condo since arrival on Dec. 21st. Sis Ashley will stay on while Tiffany waits for Dan to be ready to go after he graduates from this school. So once again we are empty nesters which made for a very quiet holiday. So Auld Lang Syne, Happy New Year etc. Stay happy and healthy. Watch as the postings for The Fridge Magnet Chronicles continue.

Happy Holidays!

Well, I know of a very happy newly married couple who are going to have a happy one. Tiffany's traveling road show headed to Pensacola on Wednesday 12/16 after finals and we got the text yesterday at 6pm our time that they had just arrived. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Dan, Tiff, Ash, Tess and whoever the friend is that at the last minute tagged along.

final graduation post

And so graduation ended, we found our new sailor and "adopted" another one. Dan had invited along his buddy Mat who's family hadn't been able to come from Texas for the graduation. We fiddled around at the base too long to make the last shuttle to the hotel so got a cab back then comisserated on what to do for the afternoon. The hotel desk person kind of persuaded us that it might be too late in the day to head for Chicago without getting in the middle of Friday rush hour traffic and the train was a commute train and would take an hour and a half each way. Ended up a few miles away at the Gurnee Mills Mall. Ate, shopped, the kids hit an arcade. Another busy day and so pooped out we went back to the room and packed to be ready to head back to the airport on Saturday. The next day we were relieved to not have it be snowy on the road as the kids would have the rental car and take us back to O'Hare. Only mishap on the ride was an asshole local driver who decided Tiff wasn't driving fast enough and tailgated, laying on his horn then passed us and came back around to our lane and pulled in front then stood on the brakes! And so we ended our visit to Chicago without even seeing the city but proud as can be of our boy. He's in Florida now going to the school that will teach him the job he will do on the aircraft carrier. Tiff heads there with her sis Ash to have xmas with Dan. Whew and that is the recap of our whirlwind trip. Watch for more postings of info while the sailor is in Pensacola. Have a great week.

continuing graduation installment

Well, according to wunderweather, with wind chill it is -3 degrees in Chicago today! I'm sure Dan is happy to have left there yesterday and flown to Pensacola Florida where it is actually a little chili there, 56 degrees. But I digress, need to get back to the graduation. We were shuttled to the base from our hotel, lots of recruits families staying there, so 2 shuttles left and had to come back for the rest of us. It had snowed through the night so there was white covering everything, don't personally care much for that stuff but it was kind of pretty. We walked through the front gate where we had to be processed to make sure we had id's and were on the guest list then headed to the huge building where we were to see almost 1000 recruits graduate. The ceremony was amazing, very pomp and circumstance. They really get into the long history of the U.S. Navy, you know all that propoganda and stuff. Ok, need to stop having my liberal pacifist come out. Truth be told, I was so proud I thought my heart would burst. Dan's division was first place and out of the 60 or so in his section there he was standing at attention 4th row in 4th back from the front. Ok, let me compose myself and continue this later.

Home from Great Lakes

What a whirlwind few days. Last Thursday headed to meet airport express @ 3am, caught flight to Chicago at 6. Took my pill when I woke we were almost there! Can't say enough about the Ramada in Waukegan, they really cater to the families of the graduates, a couple of fantastic rooms at a super discount, a meet and greet in the bar the first night to give other parents a chance to mingle, and the next morning a free shuttle to the Naval base. Ok, just thinking about it is giving me a lump in my throat so will close this installment for now. Watch for more later.

Post Thanksgiving

Ok, in a nutshell: The dinner was amazing thanks to hubby making wonderful food, the friends and fam were mellow which always helps and it was my birthday to boot. Our sailor called twice to say happy birthday to mom and give the heads up to his graduation, which is next week. Can you believe it! Everyone have a great weekend.

Benbow installment #3

Oopps! Took me a few days to get back to the Benbow weekend story, sorry I know you've been waiting with baited breath. We continued to drink champagne, I did mention earlier that the hotel provided us with a little split and also Jana brought a bottle, yumm! The dinner was great in the beautiful dining room of the hotel, Jana had grilled salmon with herbed mashed potatoes and I had bay scallops on rissotto. After that we played drunken checkers in the lovely lobby with a wonderful warm fire in the picturesque fireplace. Then for dessert we finished off the champagne and ate the wonderful chocolates we bought in Garberville earlier that day, did our usual facial and footsie soak, played around with some prompt creative writing cards and then when we couldn't keep our eyes open drifted off to dreamland. The next morning unfortunately we had to take off but not before having coffee on the little balcony overlooking the garden and the stone bridge. Headed off down highway 101 stopping at Ardellas in Willits for breakfast then home. The fact that I forgot my camera and Jana's memory card wasn't in hers (had been left in the computer in her office!) didn't matter, we will keep the weekend and beautiful scenery in our memory, that's where all my wonderful times live anyway. Have a greatful and happy thanksgiving tomorrow, and I'll have a great birthday too. Oh and I think this is my 100th post so on that note, watch for post 101 coming soon!

Benbow weekend continued

So where was I, oh yes just found yarn at the local Radio Shack. Then could hardly deal with The Garden of Beadin, cute name for a shop but could they burn anymore incense? We wrapped things up in Garberville and headed for Benbow to partake in teatime. The tea was warm and lovely with heart shaped scones on the side, yum. The fire was set in the beautiful fireplace in the hotel lobby, very cozy. We had a great room in the more modern section of the hotel which was built in the 1920's. There was a little balcony which looked out over the garden area that had a path that heads down to the river that runs under a beautiful old stone bridge. Looking out at the bridge prompted us to take a little walk before cocktail time. It was the most perfect crisp autumn day and along the road we collected a few leaves, twigs, pebbles and flowers for our little shadow box craft to be done later that evening. We always seem to need something as a project during our girlfriend gatherings. Ok, isn't this a fun story, you want more you say? Watch for the third installment tomorrow. Have a great Saturday.

A fab birthday treat

Last weekend I was treated by my bff Jana to a girlfriend over night at Benbow, a beautiful historic hotel in the redwood forest near the town of Garberville. We got a nice early start Saturday morning and up the highway in Laytonville visted a cute quilting store called the Fat Quail. A great little shop and with the friendliest shopkeeper Debbie. Jan bought some fabric for a quilt she is working on and I bought beads in case I was feeling crafty later. We then kept motoring on up highway 101 and stopped at the Peghouse, one of those typical shops near the road in Humboldt county where you can find all sorts of redwood trinkets etc. Arriving about noon in Garberville we decided to do the tourist thing before heading to the hotel to check in. If any of you know anything about Garberville, it is a very small town with a mixed population of rednecks and hippies with a varied collection of shops so when we inquired as to whether there was a yarn shop in town from the woman behind the counter at the Humane Society thrift store we shouldn't have been suprised at what she said. We were told to look at the local Radio Shack, oh yeah I thought she had been smoking a little too much of the local crop if you know what I mean! But the girls at the Hemp clothing store also directed us that direction. You gotta love a small town where the Radio Shack also carries fabric and knitting supplies! Well, watch for tomorrows post so I can continue on about our lovely weekend, drunken evening and all...

Navy boot camp news and other stuff

We got another letter from Navy boot camp yesterday. The sailor had his wisdom teeth out and I guess while he was under the influence of some pretty good pain meds told his C.O. that he loved him and that his smile brought joy to the world. Bet the Chief loved that. On a positive note we did find out that there hadn't been a phone call yet because the day that would have happened he was still passed out recovering from the teeth extraction so it isn't due to him having some infraction and getting priveliges yanked. He will get to spend Thanksgiving with some other recruits at local families homes with a program called adopt a sailor, he sounds like he is really looking forward to that. Told Tiff to make sure her phone was charged so the call will go through for good old mom's birthday and Thanksgiving. He is also very much enjoying all the snail mail especially commenting on the letters from his childhood pal Garrett who is also a sailor, his godparents the Manzanos and old family friends the Merians. Well, in closing want to thank all of you who have been so wonderful in showing all your love and support to us and the newlyweds while Dan is off beginning his career in the Navy. Have a wonderful weekend and watch for more interesting post from The Fridge Magnet Chronicles!

Samhainn...

Last Friday I spent the evening with a room full of women sharing a goddess circle. Our hostess Tina took us through the pagan celebration of Samhainn and it was an amazing experience. She offered a beautiful beaded "talking" stick that we each used in turn to invite a special loved one from the spirit world to join us. We then received a length of string with which we could tie knots to represent things in our lives that we want to banish so that we could start the new year without the burdens holding us back from achieving successes or good health etc. As the evening progressed we were asked to share unless it was too emotional to do so. I was moved to tears at a few of the declarations from some of my circle companions. The string was then buried under the oak tree in Tina's back yard and we were giving a lovely acorn to represent the growth we can now experience burden free. I can only say from my own experience of the evening is that I am now feeling worthy to progress to the completion of my story collection and that my fear for what the future has in store for D and T isn't so intense. Our next gathering will be in honor of the winter solstice, looking forward to what the goddess circle will bring forth next.

One more month til graduation

Well, one month from today barring no attitude from the sailor that could delay his graduation we will be at the basic training station of Great lakes Illinois! Have gotten our flights and then low and behold found out that we can take an airport express the 29 miles to the base. Was I ever relieved, we Californians were not looking forward to driving a rental car on unfamiliar highway in who knows what kind of weather. So have a good first week of November, isn't this last part of the year just flying by! Will keep you posted.

Letters, we got letters!

Finally after 20 days of our sailor boy in boot camp we received letters, one for mom and dad and one for Tiff. I have to say that even though it sounds hard, he seems to be making the best of it. Only passed out once during the guantlet of vaccines but he didn't care because when he came to he got milk and cookies. And probably by the time you read this he will have undergone oral surgery to remove his wisdom teeth, he said he was looking forward to all the jello he could eat and getting to have some pain meds! He also made extra points by volunteering to be on the color guard, he did this often during his Boy Scout career and will be good at it. So that's all the latest, keep watching for future postings which I'll get to you as I receive them. Take care and have a Happy Halloween!

Conference, quotes and a little of everything...

I attended an amazing conference last Saturday put on by RWC. This is the club that I often gush has changed my life. It really has, not only have I been published in three fantastic anthologies but I've met some of the most wonderful and talented people as well. Since I am now feeling my mind whirling with possiblity of more writing to be done, I'll share a quote that really fits into this theme. I'm sure my other club associates will feel the same.

"Cultivation of the mind is as necessary as food to the body"

Write on everyone!

Haylee's birthday present

Saturday I did something I rarely get to do, shop for a little girl. Now just the fact that I'm shopping is something because I just don't shop but needed to go with Tiff to the outletlet mall to find a gift for Haylee (her mom took those fab pix of D and T's wedding!) who is turning 4 tomorrow. Hit two stores but just not finding the right outfit or a little over the budget. Finally got to Gymboree and found something perfect, leggings that had candies printed in the pattern, a shirt that said "Sweeter than Chocolate" and a sleeveless pink faux fur vest. OMG! She is going to look just like a rock star!

Naval news

Well, yesterday a package addressed to Tiffany came from the Navy, it was Dan's civie clothes. Guess it's a good sign that the clothes came back without him in them, must mean the Navy still wants him around...

Danny is at boot camp!

Hello to all our loving family and friends. You will be happy to know that Danny called us last night at midnight to tell us he had arrived at Great Lakes Illinois to begin his career as a U.S. Navy enlisted guy! Didn't it seem like the time would never come? I think it hasn't really hit me yet, although Juno the black lab is acting sad. And it does seem like Tiffany is missing her extra appendage. haha (I used to say it seemed like they were attached at the hip.) So watch for future postings regarding our new sailor boy. Take care and have a great weekend.

Navy Mom

Wow, I just can't believe that tomorrow we take Dan to San Jose to meet up with the other Nor Cal recruits to fly off to basic training in Great Lakes Illinois. In about 8 weeks he will be a full fledged sailor for the U.S. Navy. Of course that means we will be going to GL IL for his graduation in December! We will so look forward to being frozen at O'Hare airport, trying to drive to the center in who knows what kind of midwest weather, etc. etc. Well, we will also be such proud parents. Will keep you posted in future Fridge Magnet Chronicles post... Take care and have a great week.

Jana's birthday month...

Most of you know I have a bff who has been with me since the late 70's, well Friday the 25th she turned 50! She had a wonderful birthday month, I have taught her well. We all deserve a birthday month, am I wrong? Unfortuantely the month ended sadly, her adored little chihuahua died last Monday while she and her hubby were at work. She is devestated to say the least but has Chaser buried in the yard where she has placed a darling angel statue that she received as a birthday gift. So my friend is sad which makes me sad of course. But what are friends for, to celebrate the happy times and grieve in the sad times. The following quote will say everything that is in my heart for my beloved friends...

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

Autumnal Equinox...

OMG! I missed the autmnal equinox. Was I just a basket case, yes I think so. Lots on my mind these days. Two weeks until the boy heads off to Navy Basic Training. The going away party is this Sunday and will be loads of fun with family and friends who have either watched him grow up or grew up with him. I'm looking forward to it. Met the new therapist yesterday who will help me get through the SADD that plagues me everytime we go from daylight savings time to standard time. She seems nice and has diagnoised me as only moderatly depressed. That means I don't need meds and am not harmful to myself or others. Ok well enough about me, you all have a great weekend and keep looking for more ramblings from Fridge Magnet Chronicles!

Quote to start the week with...

"To know someone with whom you can feel there is understanding in spite of distances or thoughts unexpressed... That can make this life a garden." Goethe

Ok, since some of you have asked...

I have a fan base! Ok, well maybe not but my friend Ray did ask why there haven't been any postings lately. Nothing really new to report except that the Oregon trip over Labor Day weekend to see my side of the family was sweet but quick. Dan and Tiff got some quality time with Auntie, Gram and cousins. The jetboat ride up to Hellsgate on the Rogue was by far the highlight. See my sister's blog to get a glimpse of some family portraits for Gram's xmas cards. Or if you are a mutual friend on facebook you can see some there. And we are in the less than 30 days countdown to see Dan head off to basic training for the Navy, 25 to be precise. Ok, well watch for future fun filled postings here at fridge magnet world!

Weekly quote...

"The question is not what you look at, but what you see." Thoreau

BFF and the rejection letter!

Some of you know my bff Jana as I have talked about the adventures she and I have gone on over the years, well she called me last night with the greatest news! I have been "mentoring " her in her creative writing endeavors lately and insisted she start putting some of her writing out there via contest etc. So a couple months ago she entered a contest with Santa Fe Review (I think that's the magazine) and she got a lovely rejection letter. So kuddos to her and her story "Good Buddy" as it was a finalist but alas there could only be three picked. I have a good feeling that the right contest or submission is just waiting out there for her wonderful fiction stories (loosly autobiographical). You go Jana! WRITE ON girlfriend!

Write letters...

Hey out there, write a letter to a friend today. I have a few penpals that I keep up a snail mail correspondance with, some from when I was a child. I was reminded of this when I was opening mail at work recently. There is a client who must have saved stamps from awhile ago and then found out that there isn't really a great dollar amount on them for trading or such. So go with this thought from a stamp I'm looking at right now that has a wonderful picture on it of a man from olden days writing a letter and with the quote "Letters mingle souls".

Dan, Tiff and the ferry ride...

The kids had free tickets to a Giants game last night and so we told them the best way to get there in our opinion was to take the ferry that goes straight to A T & T park. According to Dan, the bay was a little choppy. Tiffany handled it well but did wonder out loud to Dan if this was what it was going to feel like once he was a sailor out at sea. Dan just nodded his head and said "sort of, only on a larger scale probably." Six weeks and counting...

No plot, no problem...

I've been helping my friend Marlene collect the fees at the door of her 3rd Thursday of the month Writers Forums for about a year now. I really look forward to these gatherings, a melding of the minds of other creative writers in our area and she always has a very good presenter to spiel on great info to help us in our craft. Last night was perticularly fun. The presenter was Chris Baty who puts on the NANOWRIMO website every year during Nation Novel Writing Month in November. Now, I'm far from a novel writer and in fact am in awe of the novelist I have the pleasure of reading and knowing. But I am now the proud owner of the book "No Plot, No Problem", not because I expect that I can write the great American novel, but because I now have a momento of a hysterical evening with my new crush, Chris Baty. Ok, he's probably young enough to be my kid, but what a darling, funny guy. I laughed til I cried, maybe you had to be there. Anyway, I can't say enough about this cute guy. So if you feel the pull of creative writing, check out nanowrimo.org or google Chris Baty, it will be worth your time.

Quote of the Week

"What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Helen Keller

A new school year...

Well, once again I sent off one of my little ones to their first day of school. The tradition of our household on the first day of school is to take your picture at the front door ready to embark on the new adventure. Sadly we had to buck tradition this year, Tiffany wasn't aware of the new school year tradition and since first class at JC was exercise, was sans makeup and wasn't in her best sweats. I guess the daughter in law of the house will start her own traditions soon enough and I'll just have to pull out the family photo album and reminisce...

Navy for Moms

I have gotten onto a website called Navyformoms.com that my friend Dorene found when her son Garrett went to the Navy a couple years ago. It is so cool, I'm already "blog friends" with a couple other moms. You can chat about concerns with your child or other Navy issues. There is one for Tiff too called Navywives.com. I'm going to see how it goes with communicating with those other moms out there and I'll keep you posted. Just 8 weeks to go and the recruit heads away to basic training in Great Lakes Illinois. Then hopefully 8 weeks from then we will be winging our way to Chicago (December, we'll be freezing our butts off!.) So take care and we'll talk more soon.

Saturday quote

"I write for the same reason I breath, because if I didn't I would die". Issac Asimov

And can't all of us relate...

Thursday bliss...

Well, for the day starting out badly (morning fight with hubby, overcast cold weather, etc.) it got better after arriving at work. Got to eat a donut and swoon over the Spainard. And, tomorrow is Friday! Whoo Hoo, guess I can't ask for more, well I could but it wouldn't do any good. Talk more soon.

Kind of blue...

Feeling kind of blue. Just probably a combination of things, will shake it off by tomorrow since I get to see the 7 foot Spainard. And who you ask is the 7 foot Spainard? He is Angel the sales rep. who visits our office occasionally to give demos to the sales staff here at the office. Swoon... Wow that little daydream just about snapped me out of my funk. More later.

Insomnia and family drama...

Here I thought that after I got through July and all the activities I was a participent in, things would be less dramatic. Oh contrare, or however the hell you spell that. July recap, boonie cabin over 4th, Sister's quilt show a week later, 35th class reunion towards month end. Cabin restful, Oregon a blast with bff, little sis and 5 other funny women, class reunion casual, fun yet bitter sweet. From all of that do you think I came home bursting with words to pour onto the page? Well, one could hope but with new stuff like the prodigal son now preparing to head out to be a sailor with the US navy, daughter in law having a few family issues of her own (no one told me that when you get a newbie to the family not only do you get to worry over them but you now have their siblings to wring you out as well), and a much looked forward to upcoming Labor Day weekend going away party for the above mentioned sailor with the Oregon clan shot down the tubes by a certain person who shall remain nameless (initials are PAM), guess not meant to be. So I sit here at 3:30 am, spiral notebook by my side with nary a wisp of story to scribble down. Maybe after all this time when I've thought summer was my favorite season, I'm wishfull thinking of fall and what new leaves may turn for me at August end.

Quote for ending July...

"Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in Eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand-and melting like a snowflake..."

July sabattical

Well, July started me out on a really intense (well in my opinion intense) drug called Pregnasone or something like that. But without it I wouldn't be upright and my floors at home aren't exactly the cleanest to be crawling around on your hands and knees. So sciatica beware, I will beat you yet! Now just a bit gimpy but at least know I can sit in the truck for the trip this weekend to the boonie cabin and then the following weekend off to Sisters Oregon w/ bff Jana in her sports car. So the rest of my life appears to be the problem that is causing the back issue so until my family can hurry up and get their shit together (did I just say that!) I will be taking a sabbatical for July. Will have loads of info for you when I return in one month. Take care and have a safe and sane 4th!

Quote for the ending of June

I actually realize that the end of June is a few more days away but todays blog title sounded kind of dramatic and I'm in a bit of a melodramatic mood. All week I have asked myself if I could be brave enough to do what the Iranian people are doing to stand up to the powers that be in their country. If I could be as stand up as the reporters who only were doing what they felt was right in Korea. And I am no news junkie let me tell you but the world is so much smaller with facebook and webnews and everything that gets you breaking stories. If other people just continue to think as I do that I am just one small person what difference can I do, does that make me just a spectator in the world theater? I think I have to end this month with a promise to myself that I will continue to try harder to be someone who might make a difference even perhaps in a small way but the way to begin is take that step and start somewhere. Ok enough rambling, have a great weekend all of you.

"I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom"
Bob Dylan

Finally Friday

Friday finally! And it is also number one nephew's birthday, Andrew is 29 today. Happy Birthday! Tomorrow will be having some kind of peacefulness, D and T are off to their annual white water rafting trip at Cache Creek, should be a nice weekend for that. Grand dog will be staying with Ashley and Richard, she will get soooo spoiled. So watch for the Saturday quote and otherwise have a great weekend.

Changing of my e-mail

Any of you out there who are my blog followers, don't forget that I am changing e-mail address this weekend, monamech@gmail.com. We have decided that after living in the dark ages with only dial up at home for the computer, we are going with the "triple play" from Comcast. Brilliant daughter in law figured out that not only will we get high speed internet which will help her doing homework and any online JC clases she might want to take, but it will save us money on our long distance phone and cable to boot! So I may actually want to spend computer time at home when I'm not at work. And then we have to train dad, he's getting his own e-mail also, mechling1954@gmail.com. Dear goddess, give me patience...

Fun time last night.

This is a shout out to my good friend Ray. Last night he admitted to being a follower of my blog. Hey there my man Ray! And he is retired so when there is a comedy show that comes to town he is first in line to get the goodseats, 2nd row for the Bill Engvall show at the Wells Fargo Center last night. What a great time we had with Ray and his darling wife Ofelia, get to catch up on life in general during a yummy dinner then on to the show. I LMAO till I almost PMP! Up and coming is Larry the Cable Guy, do I notice a comedy theme here? Well, as long as you can just keep on laughing...

Summer at last...

Thankfully the weather is warming and it stays light later, this summer girl needed these days to come along. And all the Mechlings are managing to be hospitable in our little house in the 'burbs. Kids took us to breakfast on father's day and gifted with a new table top bbq. Need to do a little more than sit around like a vegetable though. Thinking about throwing myself a yard sale this Saturday. Will help clear out the garage and then we can stuff more of D and T's boxes in there since the storage units are kind of pricey and would rather see them getting caught up on old bills and paying for the text books Tiff needs. Well, guess that's all, you have a great week now. Talk more soon.

19 days til vacation!

Is one allowed to start the vacation countdown once you get past 20 days? Well whether or not that is the rule, too bad I'm starting!

Summer Solstice

I think I must have been a pagan in a past life, on the summer solstice I yearn to do ceremonial dancing in the forest and watch the twilight creeping oh so slowly, taking the last of the longest day of the year off to the horizon. Well, that isn't exactly poetic I know but if it's worth something I've got to tell you that I was at least trying to find muse today. Went with Marlene and had tea with my favorite poet in a "beauty spot" as Doris said while we looked from her terrace to a fabulous view of the valley. AGD regaled us with stories of his family and how he came to have his studio in this wonderful place. Since I was so priviliged to have been able to spend time with Armando, let's get a little excerpt from one of his books.
This is from his poem called "The Muse"
"Poetry barged through my door one day
There is no stealth in her movements...
She carresed, cuddled and had her way with me"
Armando Garcia Davila
(And there's lots more to taste where that little morsel came from!)
Now google him, find one of his books, purchase it and swoon.

Dishevled day...

You ever have those days when you would just rather not get dressed? I have on the pants I hate, keep trying to give them to goodwill but always at the last minute drag them out. Do have on a new white golf shirt compliments of Fishman Supply, there were leftovers after the golf tourny a couple weeks ago. And then I am the wrinkle queen, never give myself time in the morning in case I need to iron and even if I could find the little tabletop ironing board, so my vest looks like it came out of a heap. Oh and let's not even talk about my hair, tomorrow is another day and since I have it off maybe a haircut is to be added to the growing list of activities! Jeez, with all my babbling I'm the crazy lady today...

Wednesday and still a bit wary...

Wednesday, the sun is shining, I only have one more day to work this week cause I get Friday off, and not a single crazy person in sight.

Once again, I'm not a morning person...

Ok, no one should have bizarre things happen to them when they first arrive at work in the morning, it makes your brain go cadie wompus or at least it does that to me. I'm sitting here at my desk just gearing up for the day and a very clean, normal looking woman comes to me and ask me to dial 911. She isn't all hysterical or anything so I asked "m'am what is your emergency so I can tell the police when they answer." She says perfectly straight faced "the devil worshippers were harrassing me last night at the beach." Of course I decide to call the police business number instead of 911 and as the woman walks calmly away I tell the officer on the phone that I think they need someone to come get a crazy woman on Industrial Avenue! Now tell me, would you have a normal day after starting your morning like that?

Juno etc.

Well the peacefullness is over, the campers returned yesterday afternoon. Now on to the usual routine. Oh and by the way, the 'burbs aren't really a good home for young labradour dogs to be raised, Juno is VERY energetic. Hope puppy school is on the agenda soon.

A little semblance of normalcy...

The newlyweds took Juno and went camping! The cats have come out of hiding, I have been doing the house cleaning that I didn't have the energy for all week, I went to critique group and will now embark on updating a year old story that the ladies gave fabulous insight to, what a great day. It's Saturday, here is the quote for the weekend:

"Be not satisfied with partial contentment, for he who engulfs the spring of life with one empty jar will depart with two full jars."
Kahlil Gibran

Have a great tomorrow.

Day in the Life of the Ole' Homestead...

So I'm so sure you have all been wanting an update on our household. Dan will take the Navy entrance test over again and if the scores are good will sign on the dotted line but from what I've heard the influx of citizens going into the service is huge so he would probably not report to basic til next spring. So he has a job as a logger over in west county. Tiff is finally getting a chance to get back to the J.C. She will be at school on the main canpus 4 days a week and then of course will always make her homework at the computer at the house first priority. Dave and I have been busy with our jobs and finally talked about maybe a family vacation in a few months to San Diego to see his favorite Uncle and Aunt. Phew, and in one month I'll be with Jana and sis Laura and her wild group in Sisters being overwhelmed by the annual Quilt Show in the beautiful Oregon Cascades. Have a great weekend and look for the Saturday quote, hopefully I'll find that Kalil Gibran book that I bought at last Saturday's friends of the library book sale and will regale you with something prosaic. Show of hands, who swooned as a young adult to the beautiful writings of Kalil?

Honors Nephew!!!

And OMG! I totally spazed about congratulating my nephew Rob not only for all the accolades he received during graduation but also can you believe it, wait for the drum roll! He won the car at grad night. Selling that little Ford Focus will help bring in a little chunk of change to help towards college. You go Rob!

Grand-dog

And I'm not even a dog person, though I tolerated old Oliver for 10 years but that Juno is the cutest thing. Seven month old female lab, basic black so every color kerchief that Tiff dress her in looks oh so fashionable. Other than that nothing else too new to post, still looks like a tornado blew through. It's hard to house four grown adults, two cats and one dog in a small 60's track home. Oh, and the back spasms have susided, at least I am getting some sleep now. Talk more soon.

And she cooks!

OMG! You should have been at my house last night, it smelled like a resturant. Tiffany made the most tasty wontons. YUM YUM.

Condensed version of the weekend

Friday, re-arranged living room furniture. Saturday, mainly dog sitting while D and T slept from the Friday night partying. Sunday, RWC meeting, fun speaker David Corbett who writes P.I. novels. Monday morning, here at the office. To be continued...

Nothing too new

It's Friday. What more needs to be said. Oh and don't tell Dave but I'm re-arranging furniture tonight with help from the kids while he's at Ana's class!

Thankfully it's Thursday!

I have to tell you that last night I almost cried. Juno (the grand-dog) has been staying home with Tiffany since she is still looking for a job. Well, I guess Juno decided to bury something in the backyard flower patch. Tiffany felt so bad she went out and bought more flowers for dad in law to replace the ones dug up. Isn't that sweet, she is becoming a real part of the family very fast. Oh, and for those of you who were following the Navy count down, keep counting. Dan's scores on his testing were kind of low so will be retesting in a week or so. Almost Friday...

New York, New York!

I don't know why but I have been so homesick for New York lately. All I can think of is that I must have lived there in a past life because it felt so comfortable to me when we were there in November. After the 4 day whirlwind trip I was ready to move there. Of course I would want to have a lot of money in order to live in the manner I would want to be come accustomed to. I get a monthly e-mail newsletter, www.nycgo.com and it gives the festivities and events that are coming up, check it out if you are a frustrated Manhatten wannabe. Wouldn't either of these be fun, River Day or The Mermaid Parade!

Weather forcast

YEAH! We have intermittent sunshine although the forcast is possible showers later. Oh well, can't have everything. Other good news is that Lynn is going home from the hospital today and according to our friend Vicki, she seems 100% percent better. News from Oregon, nephew Rob had a great time on his grad visit to Six Flags and his mom will get to see his video from his new birthday/graduation gift today. Well, other than kind of feeling restless for the past few days guess that's all. Oh now I think I've figured out the restlessness, had the newlyweds move in over the weekend. Once I re-arrange some furniture I'll feel better...

June 1st, yeah right.

What's with this weather? I'm freezing my ass off, but I refuse to wear socks or a jacket. Come on summer! Let's all chant, come on summer, come on summer...

Nothing quotable today

Well, for some reason I'm not really in the mood to put up the Saturday quote. Maybe I have spring fever or I'm homesick to repeat last weekend for another 3 days at our family boonie cabin. Oh well, by tomorrow I'll have it figured out. I do know that I'm feeling down about my good friend Lynn who ended up in the hospital from complications with the port for her chemo treatment, got infected or something. So, Lynn get well soon cause I know you're missing those boys. Everybody, keep my friend in your thoughts and have good vibes out there getting her well.

Birthday and Anniversary

Happy Friday finally! I will just take a few moments of your time. I want to send a Happy 18th Birthday shout out to my nephew Rob, and then he has graduation just around the corner. Also, Happy one month Anniversary to the newlyweds. If you don't know who I mean then you haven't been paying attention! More later...

Why do short weeks seem so long...

With the holiday Monday, have a 4 day work week. But boy are these 4 days dragging. All I can think about is "is it Saturday yet?"

Semi-retirement for little sis

Hey, how did that happen? My little sis got to go into semi-retirement before me! Actually I happen to know that she might have the hardest job of all this summer, being a stay at home "mom" for her sweety's kids who will be staying the summer with dad. Do you ever add up the years you have had the "privilage" of being in the working world. Oh and then for a really scary thought, how long you will continue to be in that wonderful working world until retirement! Well, little sister Laura, enjoy your summer and see you in July for our funtastic trip to Sisters Oregon for the annual quilt show.

Weekend in the boonies

Had just the most wonderful relaxing time at our family cabin in the boonies. It was the inaugural visit for Tiffany and she even got our family to play scrabble! A little too chilly to take a river walk and no sleeping on the deck. It seems that she was just meant to join this family, we love her so much. Have to go back soon though and take a few more pictures, the camera batteries went out right away and missed a cute shot of D and T looking out the Skunk Train window when it delivered them to the station at Northspur. So anyway, happy Tuesday and hope the weekend was great for you all. Now quit reading and get back to work!

Happy Friday!

Hope you will all be having a safe and sane Memorial weekend. We will be heading to our family cabin at Northspur 8 miles down a log road into a lovely redwood forest in Mendocino County. It will be our new daughter in laws first time there, so she can hear all about Danny swimming in the creek and hiking and biking through the hills and valleys surrounding us since he started going there as an infant. I will be without electricity so no computer time, here will be the quote of the week and we can reconnect after the long weekend.

I think this is from Dr. Suess.

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

A Monday Musing

Monday, Monday, something something... You know, that old tune by the Mamas and the Papas. Can you tell I'm still rummy from the pain meds over the weekend. Have a great day, do some Monday musings and get back to me.

Angel Island isn't going anywhere...

Well, for the third time Angel Island hike is on hold. Mom headed home today and was feeling pretty good about her vertigo. We had found a wholistic type pharmacy in Napa while going for a picnic with great Auntie for her birthday. Bought some kind of little pill that is all natural ingrediants for mom to put under tongue when feeling dizzy spell coming on. I'm still having the back spasms so will continue the pain med the doctor said I should use and then will begin physical therapy on Wednesday. But all in all at least took Auntie to the park with no mishaps of dragging her oxygen tank and yesterday made it to Healdsburg to see Kate and Linda for their book signings, Linda's A Touch of Magenta and Kate's Girl in the Mirror. So today hold up at home, might hear from Kathy as she heads home to Reno after visits with her family out my way. Ok, here is quote that I missed putting on blog last night, take it in the context that works for you.
"Be like a duck. Calm on the surface, but paddling like the dickens underneath."
HMM, will have to figure out where this fits in my life...

Back Spasms

Well, I am finally upright after 3 days of off and on back spasms. Hubby made me go to a legit doctor who gave me pain meds and the number to the physical therapy office. Then yesterday with the pain still excrutiating (those of you who know me know I have a low pain threshold, paper cuts make me quesy), saw my cute chiropractor. Now can finally walk without falling and have minimal spasms. Yeah Dr. Walsh! So will be off the blog for a few days, mom is arriving today from Oregon and we have a lot of plans for fun in the sun, taking great auntie to lunch tomorrow in Napa Valley, creative writing class and lunch with bff and her mom in Healdsburg on Saturday, then if I can still walk ok will be on a ferry to Angel Island Sunday. Have a wonderful weekend. Talk more soon.

Newlyweds Birthdays!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAN AND TIFF! And yes they do have the same birthday, different years. Isn't that fun. We hope you have a fabulous day, you two. Love mom and dad.

Post mother's day update

Lazy morning, made it to the craft store to get a brag book for Grandma to show off the kid's wedding pix, then over to the bookstore. Hubby found poetry book then made me crazy writing and saying "listen to this poem I just wrote", and now he's into Haiku. See once again sucking all the creative energy out of our home. Had to be a little testy and say, "It's my day so give it a rest already, I'll listen tomorrow." Then dinner at our favorite family place out on Hwy. 1 on the way to the coast, Dinucci's. It has old fashioned family style Italian dinners. Been around forever, in fact I think it used to be a stage coach stop. Gram happy, mom happy, a wonderful day all around...

Saturday sign in

What a great day. Slept in a little, made it to my friend Marleen's writing class, heard some great work that came from prompts she gives the class. This class she had actual objects to kick start us and there was a little striped train engineer hat and of course you know where that took me, the time Dan was little and we road the skunk train to Fort Bragg and back. He put the hat on and right away was going to be a "train driver". Well, enough about that, I have 30 years of stories about Northspur... It's Saturday and so that means quote of the week and since I spent time with some awesome writers today will quote another great writer that some of you might recognize, J.K. Rowling:
"It's our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities".
Happy Mother's Day tomorrow and early birthday to my favorite newlyweds.

TGIF!

Happy Friday! Well, after a call last night looks like as long as the physical is good our baby boy is coming home from San Jose a sailor. Was almost ready to figure out a way to sabotage the whole military thing but after hubby talked me through the anxiety and also reminded me it's not really up to me what Dan and Tiff do in their lives, I thought better of it. He is opting to defer for a couple months before going to basic so will keep you posted as to when he ships out. Talk more soon.

USN testing

Very distracted today. Yesterday after the local navy recruiter contacted the recruiter in Salt Lake City who then drove an hour and a half to Evanston Wyoming to retrieve Tiffany's birth certificate so that the paperwork could be started on her spousal benefits, Dan was wisked away today to San Jose to have testing to see where he will fit in the USN. Very distracted today, oh where was I. So hopefully by tomorrow we will know if everything went well. Dan is hoping to be a diver or rescue swimmer which could actually be a job he could even use in the private sector after his stint with the USN, since we live near a couple of pretty large bodies of water ie. the bay, the delta etc. So did I mention Dan is in San Jose today?

Happy One Week Anniversary!

Happy 1 week anniversary to Dan and Tiff! I should begin to be winding down all the postings of my darling newlyweds now. One last thing, want to tell any bridezillas out there that a perfectly sweet wedding can be achieved for under $500.00...

New outfits for Bride and Groom from Ross: $50.00
Fee to County Clerk for marriage certificate and to have ceremony performed: $138.00
Lunch for 18 @ local Olive Garden: $278.00
Adding daughter in law to family: priceless

Mother of the Groom

I'm sure most of you have figured out from the photo I forwarded to some e-mails, I am enjoying the heck out of seeing those two kids looking so photogenic. The mom in law in the photos still on a cd (me!) looks a little bedraggled, well in my opinion. Dark circles under the eyes, hairdo not exactly as I wanted it, etc. Dan was just relieved that the new outfit I bought wasn't overalls with a vest. Anyway my point is, the little country girl and the boy from the burbs look as put together as a celebrity couple. Ok, enough ramblings for today. Watch for more gushing post to come...

Whirlwind week

Well, crashed like crazy last night after our whirlwind week. USN countdown continues. Will keep you posted. Breathe in, Breathe out...

We have wedding photos!

We actually have one actual photo that the bride had made so she could send in the thank you cards and we downwloaded 3 digital chips and also have a wonderful cd that the bride's bff made for everyone. Ok, I'm not just saying this because I'm the mom in law but that photo could be in a magazine ad, it's that beautiful. I am so grateful that we had the ceremony and festivities before the rain came. Now that we are post wedding and I am remembering to breathe again, watch your e-mails for some of you to get some very special photos.
And not to forget that it's Saturday, here is a beautiful quote from Buddha...
"Like a beautiful flower is colorful but has no fragrance, even well spoken words bear no fruit in one who does not put them into practice."
May the newlyweds always practice words of wisdom, love and devotion to each other...

Talked to the newlyweds last night and it appears that they did take advantage of their new maritial status and the lodge bumped them up a room grade. They had a fireplace and balcony and it sounds like they really enjoyed having a really nice place to spend their first night as Mr. and Mrs. In fact I have already had a request for addresses to send thank you cards! Now it is a new count down to Dan becoming a sailor with USN. Will keep you posted. Have a nice weekend and we'll talk more soon.

Well, we survived the big day and with only about two mishaps. One was losing the back of the bride's pearl earring but the nice lady in the County Clerks office let me take the eraser off her pencil and use it to put the post through. Wouldn't want the bride to be concerned about losing one of her new earrings and not paying attention when it came time for her to say "I do". The other was that we ran a little late for the luncheon at The Olive Garden as bride's bff who was also photographer forgot her extra battery pack and we had to wait for a charge. The morning was sunny, the room for the ceremony was very cute and a good time was had by all if I do say so myself. Talk more soon and you gotta know I'll have to spend time gushing about the darling newlyweds...

Big day tomorrow. Ceremony starts at County Clerks office @ 10a.m., then over to Gramma's house for a champagne toast and cupcakes. We have lunch reservations at The Olive Garden, then we can all go our seperate ways, us and the family members in attendance back to Gram's and the bride and groom to a nice lodge at Bodega Bay. Thursday it will be back to business as usual. So think of us Wednesday and send out best wishes to the cosmos for the new Mr. and Mrs. M...

Well, now the bride and groom think I am going a little overboard. We had decided that it was a good idea to go around the corner from the County Clerks office after the ceremony to Gram's house to have a toast to the newlyweds and that perhaps there could be a small cake. So yesterday afternoon I took it upon myself to go to this darling cupcake bakery in Cotati called Sift and order about 18 assorted cupcakes for the gathering. Later informing my son that I had done this he was a little annoyed with me, felt that having cake was unnecessary. So to CYA (cover my ass) I reminded him that it is also his father's 55th birthday that day and maybe we need to acknowledge this as well. Whew, that was agreeable and now I'm back to knowing my place so to speak as the mom in law. Only 48 hours to go until it's over...

Well, it is thankfully Saturday so that means I still get one more day of weekend. We are finally getting the last of the wedding plans in shape and even did a drive by of the facility (county clerks office) so that Wednesday morning there won't be lost mom and dad in law driving through the county administration compound trying to find Dan and Tiff. The quote I have for you is in honor of Tiffany who now is probably to the point of thinking "Why didn't we just go to Reno."
Here is a very cute quote by that irrasacable George Burns,
"Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city."
Have a great day tomorrow and let the wedding countdown begin.

Hurray it's Friday! And here's how my weekend is going to be packed with activities or should I say one activity in perticular. I'm calling it the mom in law to be scavenger hunt. And what is that you may ask? I have asked the bride if I can be in charge of the somethings, you know the something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Her dress will be new, my blue topaz earrings are the blue and by Sunday I will have traversed Sonoma County (and thanks to my bff Jana, into Mendocino County) I will have the old and borrowed. So to all my friends who may someday be future mom in laws, I am living proof that you can get your kids married on a weeks notice! Have a great weekend yourselves and look to the blog for future post of wedding meltdown, did I just say that...

Is there anything or anyone we want to talk about today? Ok. I'll start. By next week at this time I'm going to be a mom in law! Then a week later I'm going to be the mom of a Navy recruit! Noticing a pattern here, yes that is two exclamation points in a row. For a creative writer that is totally unacceptable but what can I do except wish my darling Dan and his delightful Tiffany the best of luck. Watch for updates as time goes on.

Happy Earth Day! Just another day living the life enjoying the beauty of Sonoma County...

Wow, Sonoma County is totally into summer mode and I am loving it! 80 plus degrees since the weekend and everywhere you look driving along are wonderful blooming flowers, trees and shrubs, the prettiest pastels you can imagine. Well, that's all I guess. Everyone take care and have a great Tuesday afternoon and evening.

I have to be the biggest baby when it comes to pain. Woke up Sunday morning and could barely walk from pain in my hips. Had been working in the garage Saturday trying to clear out some of Dan and Tiff's boxes of junk, but of course can't just throw them out might find something worth keeping. So had been doing a lot of bending and stooping and lifting and such. Also, the fact that I am a slug the other 360 or so days of the year and there is the getting older issue. By noon yesterday was walking well enough to go to a poetry gig in Healdsburg though. So to make a long story short, will be seeing my cute chiropractor this afternoon. Only a few more hours and some tweaking and torquing by him and I'll be good as new. Isn't that all a 50 plus girl can hope for?

Gorgeous Saturday isn't it. Hope all of you have been enjoying it, I know I have. The kidlet and fiance were on their way out to the river in fact with friends, came by to do a snack food raid. Oh and that meant "Mom can I borrow some gas money..."
Quote of the week:
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
So take that as you will and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Happy Friday! Oh whoops, that's tomorrow. Sorry getting ahead of myself.
What with the blasting wind and all the pollen flying around the past few days, I have the sinus headache to top all sinus headaches so am a little spacey from allergy meds etc. Although I am so proud of myself for conquering a techy thing. I had promised my friend Jana to download a copy of the music cd to Menopause the Musical and got started on it right away upon arrival to the office. Downloaded the cd no problem but could I figure out how to make it transfer to the blank cd? Now some of you who know me know I'm not a morning person... So for 2 hours I worked at remembering how to make the computer transfer the song, finally at the stroke of 10 a.m. I pushed all the right tabs with my mouse and whoo hoo success! So there will now be another woman in midlife crisis singing along to songs like "Change, Change, Change" and "My Husband Sleeps Tonight". So get in touch with me if you want your own copy of Menopause the Musical.

Does anyone else hate the wind? Well, maybe hate is a bit strong but when there is a gusting (25-50 mph) wind blowing, it makes me irritable. I try to pretend that I'm Pooh and say over and over "My it is a blustery day isn't it". Well, maybe if I could just play with a kite in the Hundred Acre Woods I would like the wind a little better...

I like a few zillion others have been getting used to a new fangled webthing called facebook. It's actually been kind of fun especially since I have a 35 year high school re-union coming up this summer and so a lot of my classmates are reconnecting. I have been adding friends as well and now have had to admit that not only was I a wallflower during school but that I spent the majority of my years at Ukiah High in a smoky haze, if you know what I mean. So to all of you former classmates, if I don't remember you it's nothing personal. And I hope to see you at the re-union with a name tag on!

Happy Monday, I guess. I'm an anti-morning and anti- first of the week kind of a person. I get my best sleep after I put the alarm on snooze. I also thankfully work at an office where the dress code is casual everyday. I pretty much put together a shirt, pants or skirt and a vest as long as the color scheme goes pretty well. That's my daily uniform. Well, I guess my grown up kid has decided that I'm not fashionista mom and wants to have me on that show "What Not To Wear". Of course smartass mom that I am, told him that when he can start purchasing my wardrobe he can tell me what to wear. But I do have a pretty sneaky kid so if you ever see me on that show, you'll know who the culprate was. Ok, that's enough of a ramble, is Monday over yet...

Want to wish my little sis a very happy birthday and from the sounds of things when I gave her a call this morning to sing the birthday song (it's a tradition on all the family b.d.'s) it sounded like she was going to have a great day. And since it's Saturday here is your quote for the week in honor of Laura.

"Growing older is not upsetting, being perceived as old is."

Nite now and here's hoping the easter bunny leaves you lots of goodies.

WHOO HOO! TGIF. Remember Fridays when you where in your 20's and you would leave work and go straight to the bar. Boy now in middle age all I can say is that those days are long gone. Tonight I go straight to the local book store North Lights to visit with my critique group, then pick up the husband to get a quick bite, hit Target for a last minute baby shower gift then I hope it's 7:30 because that means it's jammie time! So happy Friday and don't do anything I wouldn't do...

Tonight is Bunco night, the second Thursday of the month when 12 crazy, funny women play dice and have a food frenzy. I seem to be the "WHOO HOO" girl. I who hoo even if you are the opposing team. Oh and heaven forbid that you might drink a little and get tipsy and you lose track of whether you are keeping the score for them or us, (that's never happened to me, yeah right...) I know but just trust me, it's funny. Guess you have to be there. Which reminds me, sometimes we are short a player or two so give me a holler if you want to be a sub in a fast paced dice game that you can join with me in some "WHOO HOOing"!

Well, the April showers have finally arrived, grey and dreary today. But I won't complain, we need the rain. I don't want to have some one this summer telling me I have to ration my shower water. Also, need to announce that we now have both of us involved in RWC, Dave turned in his membership application this weekend. Although he has been giving me heck that by delaying his application it made him ineligable to turn in a submission to the club anthology, Vintage Voices. Hey, he has to pay his creative writing dues right? And I need to get going myself with some new material. The class I am in at the JC about selling your writing to publishers and magazines has me questioning whether I am actually a serious writer. Hey all you out there, how about some prompts. I know, anyone need a ghost writer?

I have two words for you: Sequoia Burger... That's where hubby and I get to have a hamburger tonight. We have a writing class in Sebastopol so on the way there we will stop at the funky little hole in the wall in a bend of the road of highway 116 between home and the class. Don't ever order the large fries, you will have a heart attack trying to eat all of them. We each get a burger and share a small fries and there is always way too much food. MMMM, now I'm hungry. Only 4 more hours til chow time.

I don't know about where you are but I'm staring out the window at the most beautiful blue sky. Didn't I hear the weather man say something about April showers? Well, it's Saturday so here is your quote for the weeks end.
"The big secret in life is there is no secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work". Oprah Winfrey
Have a great weekend and keep following The Fridge Magnet blog, you never know what might pop into this middle aged brain of mine and in all my infinite wisdom I will want to share it with you.

Not much excitement this week to blog about so I'll tell you about my friend Christina's darling kids. Her daughter who is a precocious second grader has the most beautiful curly hair to die for. She loves little things to put in a purse to carry around. One day I gave her a mini sized bottle of hand sanitizer, wow she was impressed. According to her mother when she gets in trouble and has to stay upstairs, she cleans the bathroom. I want that kid to move in with me! Her little brother is two and really coming into his personality. Christina said that sometimes when they aren't going to come to the office he stands at the door and hollers out my name. Now he likes to sing rock song lyrics. "We will, We will..." Ok take it away little buddy! (Rock you).

So how many of you fell for my April Fools joke? Ok none of you, have I used that one before? My kid got me though, said since he was already at the court house clearing up the issue holding him back from the Navy, he and Tiffany got married! Which is what they are going to do eventually anyway but I get to be there. Almost fell for it but that kid has a dead give away to his voice, I can hear him grinning. Isn't that a total mom thing. Ok, well when the call really does come from NY, I'll be sure to give a shout out. More later.

OMG!!! I was just contacted by a gigantic East Coast publisher who is making me a 6 figure offer for my story collection. I'm catching the redeye to New York tonight so my next post will probably from my favorite upper west side hotel, The Lucerne. Wish me luck...

Well, another weekend come and gone. Although there was a bit of a celebration going on with us (29th wedding anniversary) starting with date night Friday to see Lily Tomlin at our local concert/comedy venue. She was absolutely adorable, felt like we were just hanging out with her and chatting and then suddenly she would slip into character of Trudy the Bag lady or Ernestine etc. Very fun and I only had to suck on 4 cough drops to keep from having a coughing attack from the cold that returned from last month. Then since it was a rather blustery though sunny weekend we put the trip to Angel Island off until next month for Dave's birthday. Figured I would be gasping, coughing and wheezing while hiking and also if it was as windy on the bay as it was at our house, we might have been blown out to sea! We went to a local bookstore which is one of our favorite things anyway and I picked up a copy of Wicked since I had wanted to read it after seeing the musical in the city last month with my friend Ally. Then we put 29 one dollar bills in the supermarket lotto machine and bought 29 scratchers and through out the evening would scratch them. We didn't win any big money but get 4 more free tickets to keep the luck going. Have a wonderful week and let me think about a great April fools joke to put on blog space Wednesday!

If you end up becoming a follower of my blog you will find out something about me, I am a quote junkie. I will be reading along on something and if the author has used someone's quote, I am completly derailed from the book until I can fully digest or maybe you would call it mull over the quote and how I can apply it to my life. I know, I can devote my Saturday blog to giving a quote each week to the good people out there in blog land. Hope your weekend has been going well and maybe you will find the following quote inspiring. If not then maybe I'm the only quote junkie in cyber space...

"The future is not someplace we're going, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found but made. And the activity of making them changes both the maker and their destination" John Schaar

Have to use this time to tell you about a wonderful, rejuvinating Yoga experience last night. Had been doing a Yoga class since last fall at a place in Petaluma but then in February had to skip for a month due to some conflicting creative writing classes. When I was about to return found out that the studio I was attending had finished the contract of Melanie, the darling, funny Yoga instructor. Another friend that was also attendee of the same class was able to stay in touch with Melaine and we found out she had a special 2 hour class of Yin Yoga with accompaniment of Rene and Janay using ancient indigenous instruments for sound healing. It turned out to be a great evening of relax and restorative poses for aligning the chakras and meridians. I truthfully don't know what all that means but I came out of there feeling that my body (although not my sinuses) were in a good zone. So if you ever want a great Yoga experience in a lovely, inviting setting I recommend Yoga Community in the very nice little town of Sonoma. Have a great weekend and continue to watch this blog to see how having my chakras aligned helps in my writing inspirations.

Did I mention in my bio that I love Sonoma County? I do love this part of California but that love comes at a price, I am allergic to Sonoma County! The wheezing and coughing that accompanies the allergies is about to kill me. Well, just about to head to City of Sonoma for a yoga class, that's another story. Now just what a person who is allergic needs, a beautiful ride in the country...

Well, I made it home from Oregon with the Kia but being a non-mechanical chick freaked that before I was even on the freeway leaving mom's, the check engine light came on! Called Laura right away and she assured me that I should just keep driving, it was probably nothing. So drove while having an anxiety attack but nothing blew up and I got up to 75mph and also made it over the pass @ 4210 feet. Then to make sure I would still be seeing my friend Jana a few hours down the road in Ukiah, got her on the phone and she made me give a description of the car in case I didn't show up and she had to send her husband on a search and rescue mission along the boonies of I-5. So the saga of the Kia Rio ended well when I pulled into my driveway after a long day of driving and turned off the key. I only hope it will start up when my kidlet and fiance want to take it for a drive. Hope that your March goes out like a lamb and we can look forward to a beautiful April. And I want to take this time to thank my friends Ana, Rich and my sis Laura for becoming my first followers. Watch for more exciting adventures to be posted in the near future.

I'm here in beautiful Southern Oregon to visit mom and Laura. So far it's been a whirlwind of activity! Drove up with one of my creative writer friends Marlene so that she could also visit her mom and sis and put on a fantastic writing/collage workshop. There were some local students in attendance and boy can we look forward to an upcoming population of some talented writers. We than spent an uproarious evening with Laura's friend eating popcorn and drinking champagne and watched "Beverly Hills Chihuahua (do I have spell check on this blog?) Today will hang around mom's relaxing and visiting, then tomorrow drive home in my nephew Andrew's Kia Rio so that my son Dan's fiance Tiffany will have her own car. So, will sign off for now and have my coffe while looking at the dusting of snow in the hills outside mom's window. Wish me luck driving the 5 speed home tomorrow. Look forward to posting many more blogs to com now that my techie sis helped me get up and running with my "Fridge Magnet Chronicles".