Milestones, the Next Generation

I remember it like it was yesterday. September 1986, Audrey's first day of school. I took her into the kindergarten classroom and helped her locate her seat. She turned to me and said, "You can go now." I walked out of the classroom, barely holding back the tears. I ran into some friends and quickly composed myself.

When I got home Ray asked if there had been many tears. I said no, that Audrey had done very well. He said, "I wasn't talking about Audrey."

Today Austin started kindergarten. I wasn't there to see him go, but he called me right after school to tell me about his day. He had the time of his life. 

My oldest grandchild, setting out on his own quest for learning. I hope he loves it as much as I did, and still do.

Austin, August 31, 2010

Audrey, Austin, Joseph

Pardon me while I go find some tissue. I feel just like I did when Audrey started school.

By the way - he doesn't attend Wendover High School (although I think he's smart enough to). He catches the bus there - pretty handy, since that's where his dad teaches.

A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff

I just read the library synopsis of this book. I wondered if they read the same book I did. What they felt was the emphasis of the book, I saw as a sideline.

But then, I felt the story meandered around and tried to cover a few too many things. It had some shallow areas that could have used some good development, and some things that should have been left out.

Overall I thought the book was okay. Not a complete waste of time, but I felt teased by its possibilites, and a little let down by its actualities.

I did like the vintage clothing parts. That was interesting information for me.

So here's my endorsement: read it if you want - it's a light read - but don't rush it to the top of your list.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay came out Monday night. I didn't want to be up that late in a madhouse (aka local bookstore), so I went out first thing Tuesday morning to buy it. I needed a read for my trip - and this was perfect timing.

I saw three people coming out of Barnes and Noble with the book as I walked in. I went in, grabbed the book which was conveniently placed right in front, and went to the check out line. The two people in front of me had the book, and two more came behind me with the book. As I left the store, a friend of mine walked in, and went immediately to the rack and picked up the book to buy. Pretty popular. Ray works at Costco, and said they sold out of the book early. Costco does carry a three pack containing all the books in the series, and he said that was nearly gone also.

Warning: very minor spoilers ahead - no specific plot spoilers, but how I felt about the book might inadvertently give some hints as to what happens in the story.

I couldn't wait for to start the book, so I began it Tuesday night, putting off other things I should be doing. Finally it got so intense I had to put it down and shake it off for a few minutes. I decided to wait and read it on the trip.

Mockingjay was not the roller-coaster, hang-on-for-dear-life ride that the other two books were. Well, not from start to finish; there were definitely very exciting parts. Also, I had forgotten how violent the books are. I could never in a million years watch a movie of these books. I had to skim parts of all the books that were too intense and graphic for me.

Collins wraps the story up - which I wanted. I hated the extreme cliff hangers of the other two books. (Although look how fast everyone runs to get the next book.) I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. I think I wanted a happy, fairy tale ending, and didn't really get it. In fact what develops fully in Mockingjay is the statement on war and its effects on our planet and people that Collins makes. The ending is consistent with that theme. I'm anxious to talk with someone about it. I think it will help me process how I really feel about the book.

I have mixed feelings about the book - I liked it, but I'm not yet embracing it unreservedly. I'm still processing it. That's good writing - keeping someone thinking about the book after that final page is turned.

 I reviewed The Hunger Games here and Catching Fire here.

Just Warming Up

My sister Tweeter can shop longer and faster than anyone I know. She lives in Hawaii, and when she comes to the mainland she hits the stores running. My other sister, Cheryl, and I tag team keeping her company because it is exhausting to keep up. And she finds everything on sale.

Tomorrow Tweeter and I both fly into Seattle. It's my dad's 80th birthday, and we are having a celebration on Saturday. Thursday the three sisters are going shopping. Probably all day.

Today I did a preliminary warm-up. I started errands at 9:45 a.m., made seven stops (including buying Mockingjay - after all I'll be sitting in an airport and on a plane - perfect timing), and was home by 11:30 a.m. That was pretty quick. I think I'll be able to handle Thursday, no problem.

I hear Talbot's Outlet store is having an amazing sale this week. You can bet we'll be there.

Another Workday

Trish and I have added another work day. Now we are going down to Debby and Beth's and giving them quilting lessons. It is so fun. You can read about it on Debby's blog here.

Then and Now

I came across this picture of Ray carrying Beth in a back pack:

Ray and Beth, 1989

And it reminded me of when we went to Yosemite two years ago. This is Ray carrying Matthew who was about the same age as Beth was in the picture above:

Ray and Matthew, 2008

Happy Birthday Ray!

53 years old today. The best man I know.

Here's a little trip down memory lane - these are a few favorite pictures, some of which I've carried around in my wallet, most of which I have pinned up on the wall surrounding my desk so I can look at them all the time.

1978, Essen Germany

1982, BYU graduation (BS Business Finance)

1984, Santa Monica, California

1991

1997 or 1998, Lake Cavanaugh, Washington

Mid 1990's, Comdex or a Trade Show

2006, Sandy, Utah - Debra's wedding reception

2007, Trek

2010, Yosemite

2010, Yosemite

It is a joy traveling through life with you, Ray. Happy Birthday. I love you.

A True Friend

Today was Thursday workday. Trish came over, walked into my office/sewing room, and asked, "Has young Ray been in here?" I said I didn't think so - at least not for any extended period of time.

She said, "It smells like boy in here." Yikes! Time to open the window and air things out. Thank heavens for a friend who can honestly tell you when you have a problem. Seriously. 

The window stayed open until the deluge began. We had a serious rainstorm here this afternoon and our neighborhood sustained some damage. Our home had water pouring in a couple of window casings, and our storage room got some water in it also - all of which was easily mopped up with a towel. Several neighbors have Disaster Relief trucks in front of their homes, and I know many basements have water in them. Ray is currently out with our pump and shop vac helping clear some of the water from those homes. 

Trish and I ventured out for lunch, got about two minutes down the road and turned around and came back. It looked like you could ride some big waves on Wasatch Blvd. Then we hit 17th East where it turns into Draper Parkway and part of the road looked washed out. Large orange construction barrels were floating along. That's when we turned around and scrounged for lunch here at home.

Now the sun is shining, and it is absolutely beautiful outside. My window is open again (I'm going to get some air freshener in down here) and I'm enjoying a gentle breeze. It is hard to believe it stormed so hard earlier.

Meanwhile Trish and I had one of our least productive, but most enjoyable and relaxing quilting days. She pinned two quilts, and I put a final border on one quilt and cut out another. That sounds more productive than we were. We sure got a lot of talking done, though.

Here is the fabric that I am using on my new little quilt. These are the leftovers. I grossly miscalculated how much fabric I would need, and will be able to get lots more use out of this fabric than I originally thought. 

I really like the fabric. I bought it while on Vashon Island last Spring. It feels fresh and cheerful. I'll enjoy working with it.

(Pictures of my other quilt when it's all done and quilted - hopefully by next week.)