In my new role,  I now facilitate a writers group.  After our third and most recent gathering I was told I would need to resume my writing as well.  So here I am back on my blog. What's going to happen here? I have no idea so come along for the ride.  

Hmmm, it's been a while, but perhaps I need to return.  At least to do some written venting over events beyond my control as well as those that might actually be within my control, or at least have a minute influence upon.

I started a new job four months ago.  It continues to go great.  Best decision I ever made professionally - next to leaving the last two jobs.

My hubby & I are trying to buy a new house.  Our current house will be rented as of the end of June so there will be come income coming in to our coffers.  Unlike last time, when we had two house payments for almost two years.

The bank, however, continues to be a pain.  My husband swore he would not use US Bank again, but did not listen to himself so again he takes their name in vain every day, multiple times, which does get a bit repetitive and tiring.  Not that I can't blame him.  We have given them all our information twice since the current banker doesn't seem to know how to contact the first banker with which we dealt.  Pretty soon, I expect to be asked how often I use the restroom, and how many times I go number 1 or number 2.

In our dreams, the planets will align and we will sign before the end of April.  Should I hold my breath or not?  Could be dangerous if I did.

Trying to be optimistic.  Taking one day at a time.  May today's blizzard of snow and the blizzard of bankers miss us entirely.

Sigh.

Now this is procratination!

A year-and-a-half since I last posted?  Hmm.  Guess I'm taking this procrastination thing to new levels.  Yesterday, I sat through a 90 minute presentation on the Wonderful World of Google and all it can do to make my life easier.  Or make me procrastinate and put-off even more.  You decide.

Discovered new tools to explore and some new ideas about tools I've used for years.  What they were, I don't quite remember now except for being able to create multiple calenders.  Should have taken better notes.

Other than that, I feel a bit stressed by life, but think I want to join the masses and write a novel.  If the 50 Shades author can get published, there's hope for me.  Of course, I'll need to actually put words on a page, be it virtual or hard-copy.  Could be a problem.  See title of this blog if you are confused.

Where Have I Been?

Just remembered that I have a blog. Maybe it's time to start using it again. Maybe not. We'll see how this goes. Miracles can occur. For example, I am getting out a holiday card for the first time in several years.

New job. New location. New life. Now in search of New Friends in new location.

"Haunted Ground" by Erin Hart

Finished it a while ago but was delayed in getting this out. In the process I discovered my mother actually reads this blog. Hmmmm. Wasn't sure how I felt about that, but she is my mother so I guess I will let her continue.

Haunted Ground by Erin Hart


The paperback includes the tag line "The truth never rests in peace." Loved it.

Amazingly, I loved both main characters, the archaeologist and the pathologist; the location, Ireland; and historical twist to the murder or shall I say murders?

This copy included an excerpt of the author's next work which normally I skip, but I kept on reading and need to track the next installment down. After checking with Amazon, I discovered that book #2 is out, but #3 isn't out until 2010. Guess, I better slow my pace a bit. Thankfully, I just started tackling the next book group book, Kitchen Table Wisdom and the lengthy Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon. The latter in anticipation of catching up with the series before the latest installment arrives.

The cold wet Irish setting was the perfect antidote to a warm summer day. I almost felt the need to go put on a sweater.

Yes, I wanted the archaeologist and pathologist to discover their mutual interest of each other sooner than a later much later book such as Anne Perry did with Hester and William Monk.

As a kid, I wanted to be an archaeologist, but soon discovered there was way too much science involved. Luckily, I can still read about them or watch them - can you say, " Indiana Jones"? The detail about digging was engrossing as was the research into the history of the region through records, songs, local lore, and books as they tried to discover who the head belonged to and why it was separated from its body.

I started this entry before I left for a road trip weekend to Wabasha, Pepin, and the Twin Cities. At a darling new & used bookstore in Wabasha, I found the next installment and grabbed it quickly. Still working on Kitchen Table Wisdom and Fiery Cross, but this one, Lake of Sorrows, will be moved quickly to the top of the read soon pile then starts the wait for next one in 2010.

Perfectionism: To get over it OR To get it back

How can I take a couple days off and still end up in the dog house? Don't know, but I can do it and did do it.

I know I'm human and need to get over my perfectionistic tendencies. At work, however, perfectionism is the rule of the day. Failure is not an option. I just failed. Twice. First on my day off, now on my first day back.

The first is not a great item, but it involved a member of the "Big Boys." Heaven forbid, even in this era of transparency and stakeholder involvement, you mess with the "Big Boys." If you are wondering, yes, there are "Big Girls" with the "Big Boys." I lump them together.

I need to take the advice I gave yesterday when called about my screw up, I need to take a chill pill.

Confess my sin.
Make atonement for my errors.
Pay the price for messing with the world.

Lord, forgive me for I have sinned.

"Framed in Lace" by Monica Ferris

My latest read is a cosy mystery. Not British this time but Minnesotan.

Framed in Lace by Monica Ferris

I obtained this 1999 paperback at a recent silent auction where it was a part of a Minnesota Mystery package. Yep, more to come, but this seemed the cosiest. This past weekend I was in great need of a comforting cosy mystery. Now, murder as cosy? comforting? Yes, to some one brought up on escaping to Agatha Christie, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, or Anne Perry; yes, comforting.

What surprised me was that I enjoyed the crafty slant. I am not a crafty person, I am a crafty-wannabe person. There are my materials purchased, half-started projects: chair-caning, quilting, knitting, cross-stitching, scrap-booking....

My husband is the natural at this in our family, a regular Martha Stewart. He can decorate cakes, sew quilts, cross-stitch everything from wall-hangings to ornaments to hand-towels, finish furniture, and cook magnificent one-of-a-kind meals.

Lucky for him I continue to keep him around as my Boy-toy so he can pursue all these arts and crafts.