No Injuries

The hubby and I drove to Ohio to go hiking at Whipps Ledges, a place Sara P recommended. Besides having a lengthy car ride, which hubby likes to complain about, we had a good time. We chatted while he remained awake, otherwise I cranked up the radio and sang along while he slept. The hike had some beautiful views and some interesting "climbs" over tree limbs, trunks, and rock formations. I am notorious for injuring myself on these types of trails and the hubby was concerned with me climbing the rocks, but thankfully everything went well. The hubby had fun as we wondered off the main trail onto some side trails and stumbled across a snake. For those who know me, I have a crazy irrational fear of snakes. If I look at one I freak out, and after a bit of hysterical hyperventilating we continued on. Perfect weather and perfect day, plus no ankle twists, torn tendons, scraped hands, sunburn or anything.
(The pic is of me on top of one of the ledges, it's hard to tell how high up we are.)

Family Memories

While listening to Sister Hazel's Champaign High this weekend (great song by the way), I had a trip down memory lane. With my birthday coming up, I keep remembering other great birthdays and listening to Sister Hazel takes me back to a nice one. For my 24th birthday, I was in a horrible place being recently divorced, in a downward spiral, trying to figure out who I was and how my life had become a mess, basically, lots of self-pity.

My siblings decided to surprise me and take me to dinner and a concert. They had discovered that Sister Hazel would be in town the night of my birthday and got tickets for us to see them. Now for anyone who lived in Gainesville in the 90s, Sister Hazel was big! They had a song in the top 40, another song on a movie soundtrack, they were on their way up. To me, they were the nice guys who came into the copy store and chatted.

I went to their concert with my sibs and made an absolute fool of myself, dancing in the front row and singing at the top of my lungs. We ended the evening out at Benningan's and had a nice meal. It was a wonderful time and a moment I needed when I was in such a dark time in my life. This is my last good memory of my brother, which makes it more bittersweet (do the math). So thanks for the stroll down memory lane and here's to melancholy wishes that things were different.

Muse Gone

As a writer, I have read and heard that certain situations or people will inspire an idea. Just little things that trigger the spark. I once saw a show where the writer used situations and people from his morning routine and created a story about their lives without ever knowing the people. I never really thought I was capable of it until this year.

While working on my first project this past winter, I was struck by inspiration. I watched a band perform when the drummer was brought to the front of the stage and explained he was going to sing a solo of a song that inspired and moved him. I was so touched by the end of his performance, I was tearful. I thought...he's my next hero, this man who can pour his heart out in a song.

I was determined to finish my historical project and tried not to think of the new story that was playing in my head, but finally caved and created the character Nick, who of course sings a solo performance that has such a passionate effect on my heroine.

Two weeks ago, I saw the band perform again when it was announced that the drummer was leaving the band. I'm sure my mouth gaped open because I kept thinking...I'm not done, Nick had yet to win my heroine over. The drummer went front and center on the stage again and sang the same song from this past winter, but this time the band accompanied him. I'll admit, I was brought to tears at the depth of emotion the drummer poured into the song. Can you guess the ending in my story that I finished this past weekend?

Birthday Girls!

June is a busy month for me since I share the birthday month with Erin and Crystal. All of us have birthdays at the end of June, though those birthdays are important to me, two special girls keep me busy with birthday surprises. I have two very distinct but special relationships with my nieces, N and C.

My sister and I were not friends growing up or as adults, but when N was born, our lives drastically changed. My sister and I suddenly both found ourselves single and her raising a 6 month old. We became Oscar and Felix and lived together as the odd couple raising N. I had the joy of being involved in all the big events in N's life and playing pseudo-secondary-mommy as well as aunt for 2 years off and on. Though N is in her pre-teens now, I still view her as the curly mop headed child who used her fries to eat ketchup, who bounced to Mambo Number Five, who used to chase the ducks. Well, you get the point.

C was born 3 months before I moved up north and only sees me every 6 months. She's terrified of me every time she sees me though she recognizes me from photos. We have a unique relationship in the fact that I was one of the birthing coaches on the day she was born. Watching a child come into this world is a moving experience that I was glad to share with my sis. I shared C's first night in this world, staying in the hospital with my sis to help her with the baby. Once again, I got to experience another aspect of motherhood with another beautiful niece.

Both of these girls have greatly affected me and brought such joy into my life. My relationship with both is uniquely different creating a special place in my heart for them. I'm glad I get to enjoy June birthdays with them! Happy Birthday!!!

(out of respect for my sis, I have not mentioned my niece's names)

Out of the Mouths of Babes

My oldest niece, N, and I have a unique relationship, which I'll explain in another post. Since moving away, I have wanted to insure she knows I still think of her and with her being a pre-teen, she's too busy to talk to me on the phone. With all my traveling, I want her to know she's on my mind, so I send her a postcard every time I visit a new city. My sister has been keeping the postcards for N, so when she's a little older she'll appreciate it more. Upon receiving another postcard last week, N told my sister, "she travels a lot." I know this is a statement many of you have said to me before, but I found it more humorous when a child stated it.

(out of respect for my sis, I didn't use my niece's name)

Catherine & James Wedding

This past weekend James and I attended a wedding in Chicago for Catherine and James Pickrel. It was an interesting invite for us, since we were attending as friends of the parents of the bride. I hadn't realized I was old enough to fit into this category yet, but gladly attended to support my friend, Delia, and her family in their happy moment.

The beautiful ceremony was held in a Lutheran Church. The bride was absolutely glowing as she entered the church. The groom became choked up upon seeing his bride, who spoke with a quaking voice as she said her vows. It was truly emotional. I thoroughly enjoyed the personal comments thrown into the ceremony, especially involving college teams and their enemies. The bride and groom met at Oklahoma State.

Following the ceremony, we all headed to Wrigley Field for the reception. The wedding cakes went along with the baseball theme, as well as hot dogs as a specialty for dinner, and baseballs as the party favors. It was a truly enjoyable evening. Be wary of telling the mother of the bride, "it was a beautiful wedding". The comment can lead to a few tears. Also, watching the father-daughter dance was another teary moment.

Catherine and James looked so happy together and I wish them a wonderful new beginning!

New Moon Preview

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON trailer in HD

Source

The New Moon preview has been released and I for one am excited. It is a little disconcerting that they just finished filming and are already releasing material, but I won't complain too much. New Moon was not my favorite book since I am Team Edward and it is a very depressing story. I enjoy the growing friendship between Bella and Jacob; and am amazed by the back 1/3 of the book. Seeing the preview for the movie, insured I would be there opening weekend to see the movie.

The special effects and make-up are much improved from the first movie. Yes, I'll admit Taylor looks really nice as Jacob, but I truly like him as the character. I am concerned with the piece from the break-up scene. I hope there is more emotion in the actual scene because it was heart-breaking in the book (I know for Team Edward only), but it reminded me of some bad break-ups I've had and that horrible resulting feeling.

Here's to looking forward to more previews and November 2009. Tell me what you think of the preview.

True Blood

I went and did it...I discovered another obsession. Most of us have been reading the Sookie Stackhouse series and are aware that HBO created a tv series based on the books. Kelly told me I had to watch the show. Colette bought the series. Erin ordered it. Being a librarian, I read the reviews and decided to keep my distance.

Netflix delivered the first four episodes to me on Thursday. I stayed up late watching them because I was so engrossed. I have to qualify, a great many changes were done to various characters and their stories for the purposes of "good tv", but the heart is still there.

Actually that was one of the first things to strike me. Sookie actually emits more emotion in the show than in the books. She has true reactions expected of her situation. Even Bill is more personable. Most of you know I have been a Bill-hater until recently in the book series, but watching Bill on-screen, I can finally understand the appeal of the character. I'll admit I began sighing every time Stephen Moyer came on screen as Vampire Bill.

After reading the reviews, I was positive I would hate Tara and the fact that they have her in a relationship with Sam, but the story felt right. I won't deny the scenes involving my least favorite character, Jason, leave much to be desired. I began debating fast forwarding through his scenes because I know he's a male slut, but it was a little too graphic for my taste. Lafayette is truly enjoyable and more vivacious on-screen though we know how he ends.

Alan Ball, who created the show has read the books and is friendly with Charlaine Harris. He expands on the stories we peripherally hear about from Sookie, since the books are from her point of view, but he has much respect for the storyline from the books. The big revelation of Bill's motivation that is revealed in Book 6 is hinted at throughout the story and Ball says he will stay true to Sookie's storyline.

Overall a great tv series. I'll even go further and admit, I couldn't wait for Netflix to send me my next discs and bought the set on Friday. I know, yet another obsession. I have to ask, what is it with vampires? What was your opinion of the show? Did it do the books justice?