notes from me

eve of eve

2009-12-23T19:33:00.000-05:00

Look what I saw on the streets of New York. SpongeBob Squarepants, Winnie the Pooh, and Dora and Tigger in conversation.

Word of the day: BELEAGUER - to harass; plague

Trivia: On this day in 1823, the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement C. Moore (" 'Twas the night before Christmas...") was published.

I finished Dead and Kicking by Wendy Roberts, the 3rd book in the series and this was a good one.

I'm reading Cold River by Carla Neggers, the 2nd book in the Black Falls romantic suspense series.
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packages

2009-12-22T18:09:00.000-05:00

This week it felt like Christmas. Yesterday I got a package that included a wrapped present and a bookmark. Today I received two packages, one all the way from Canada that included 3 autographed books that I won and the second package contained so many goodies. Included was a snowman finger tip towel, a door knob hanger with pretty bells, a peppermint candy cane, a Santa pencil, a Santa marshmallow pole, an autographed book, a Christmas fabric panel and two mystery books. Yeah me, I love opening up surprise packages.

The BLA*RE quilt that I sold was well received by the new owner.

Word of the day: REMUNERATION - pay or reward for work, trouble, etc.

Trivia: On this day in 1864, during the Civil War, Union Gen. William T. Sherman sent a message to President Abraham Lincoln from Georgia, saying, "I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah."

I'm reading Winter Prey by John Sandford, the 5th book in the "Prey" series.
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let it snow

2009-12-20T17:16:00.001-05:00

Finally the snowstorm that was predicted came while I slept through the night. I woke up to beautiful untouched white snow. It was too dark so I couldn't take pictures but as soon as the skies lightened, I took a couple of snapshots.

Question of the day: Why hasn't the original "Miracle on 34th Street" aired on TV yet? The remake was and that is not even comparable to the original.

I had left over quilt squares so I decided to do a first: I used the sewing machine to piece the squares together, so this became my first machine-pieced/stitch quilting project. The only thing that was hand-stitch was the label and the binding. I think it probably took me 2-3 hours to complete the quilt. Introducing BLA*RE

Word of the day: PEDANT - someone who shows off learning

Trivia: On this day in 1946, the Frank Capra film It's A Wonderful Life had a preview showing for charity at New York City's Globe Theatre, a day before its "official" world premiere.

I'm reading Spy Games by Gina Robinson, the second book in the "Fantasy Spy Camps" series.
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some snow

2009-12-19T17:35:00.005-05:00

We are supposed to be in the midst of a snowstorm. As I type this, there is only an inch or two on the ground. I can still see the grass. Hopefully tomorrow when I wake up, I will be surrounded by snow.

I rented a UPS box at the UPS store. Now I don't have to worry about staying home to receive my small packages. The reason for the UPS box is new company sent out communications that no personal packages can be delivered there. If packages are sent there, they will be returned.

Rented G-Force - cute movie

Word of the day: APATHY - lack of interest or emotion

Trivia: On this day in 1903, the Williamsburg Bridge opened in New York City. It was the first major suspension bridge in America.

I'm reading Kayla's Daddy by Laura Bradford. This book will be published in January 2010
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Dec 17

2009-12-17T18:31:00.004-05:00

Not much going on today. It's too cold to venture out in the city. All I want to do is stay warm indoors. I can't do that much at the office since the thermostat is still broken.

Word of the day: GLUTTONY - eating and drinking to excess

Trivia: On this day in 1843, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens was published.

Celebrity news: Oscar winner Jennifer Jones dies at 90. She won the Oscar for "The Song of Bernadette." She also starred in "Duel in the Sun" and "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing."

on TV tonight: CSI, The Mentalist

I'm still reading Trial by Fire by J.A. Jance
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newness

2009-12-16T19:06:00.004-05:00

I have to find a new dentist. My current dentist is not in my dental plan's network and I refuse to pay out of network. I look through the provider book and there is another dentist directly across the street from my place; my current one was down the block. I will check out the new one in January as soon as I get on the patient's list. Luckily, my doctor takes my plan. Hmm, I need to see if my eye doctor is a network provider.

Quilting update: The small lap quilt has been sold!

Word of the day: PANACEA - cure-all

Trivia: On this day in 1901, the Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, was printed for the first time.

Steps today: not feeling it

on TV tonight: Criminal Minds, CSI: NY

I'm reading Trial by Fire by J.A. Jance, the 5th book in the "Ali Reynolds" thriller series
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taxes

2009-12-15T19:00:00.000-05:00

There's only 10 days until Christmas. Have you finished your shopping?

I'm going over financial stuff for the new year, you know, 401k, IRA and whatnot. There is a big difference in what you take home between pre-tax and post-tax deductions. Uncle Sam sure loves me.

I'm feeling better today - taking Alka-Seltzer Plus and drinking a cup of orange juice every day seems to be helping.

Quilting update: The binding has been completed and now introducing Black & White & Red Allover, the small lap quilt.

Word of the day: LUMINOUS - bright, brilliant, glowing

Trivia: On this day in 1939, Gone With the Wind, produced by David O. Selznick and based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell, premiered at Loew's Grand Theater in Atlanta. The movie starred Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable.

Steps today: 4,471

on TV tonight: NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, The Good Wife

I'm still reading Untraceable by Laura Griffin
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Dec 14

2009-12-14T18:45:00.000-05:00

I think I caught a cold. My nose is running and I have a sore throat. My office has been an ice box and finally it was determined that the thermostat was broken. My office made me sick. I'm trying to catch it before it become a full-blown winter cold where I will get worse than I am right now.

Quilting update: Binded one side of the quilt.

Word of the day: GLUTTONY - eating and drinking to excess

Trivia: On this day in 1903, Orville Wright made the first attempt at powered flight. The engine stalled during take-off and the plane was damaged in the attempt. Three days later, after repairs were made, the modern aviation age was born when the plane stayed aloft for 12 seconds and flew 102 feet.

Steps today: 5,098

on TV tonight: The Closer, Two and a Half Men

I'm reading Untraceable by Laura Griffin, the first book in the new "Tracer" series.
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Dec 13

2009-12-13T16:37:00.000-05:00

Today was warm, in the 40s with rain. Can you believe that Christmas is next week? Seems like 2010 wants to arrive sooner than later.

Today was the last day for my power walking class. The class started out with 12 participants and today there was only three in the class plus the instructor. I had three quilted centerpieces and I knew I was going to give one to my instructor and one to the woman I've attended another class with. The third one went to the third person in the class. We had a good workout that will last us until the next session in 2010.

My notebook mouse fell, again, and this time it is not working properly. This means I have to get a new one and boy do they have all kinds of notebook mouse: bluetooth, laser, comfort fit, it can be hard to choose. My concern is the comfort fit. Now my question was why did the red mouse cost more than the silver mouse which cost more than the black mouse?

I finally got my mail from yesterday and inside was a past due bill from the anesthesiologist for the procedure that I took in June. How can something be a late payment when I never received the first payment. Tomorrow they will be getting a call from me and of course I'll pay the bill, but I really hate when companies send me a past due notice when I never received the first notice.

Quilting update: trimmed the backing ends to one inch and then iron-pressed half inch for the binding. I planned on binding today, but it was so gloomy outside and it felt more like a reclining in a chair with throw and a book day.

Word of the day: CHICANERY - deception by means of craft or guile

Trivia: On this day in 1913, the Federal Reserve System was established as the first U.S. central bank AND The Sunday New York World printed a puzzle called a "word-cross." The puzzle was a success and became a weekly feature. The name eventually evolved into "crossword."

I'm reading Divorced, Desperate and Deceived by Christie Craig, the third book in the "Divorced, Desperate and . . ." series
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Dec 12

2009-12-12T20:23:00.000-05:00

I think I'll hibernate on the weekend if it continues to be in the 20s or lower.

I'm researching rental UPS mail box (similar to a p.o. box) so that my packages can be delivered without having to stay home all day for a UPS delivery. Unlike the P.O box, UPS will take delivery from FedEx and Postal Services as well.

Tomorrow is my last power-walking class until the new year. I'm giving the instructor one of the centerpiece quilt that I made.

Quilting update: All that is left is to do the binding. I normally machine quilt from top to bottom making sure every quilt block is stitched. In this one I also machine quilted diagonally from top corner to the bottom. Thus every quilt block has a diagonal stitch and four has an "x" stitch.

Word of the day: DUDGEON - angry indignation

Trivia: On this day in 1912, the Mother's Day International Association was incorporated with the purpose of furthering meaningful observations of Mother's Day.

I'm reading Final Exam by Maggie Barbieri, the 4th book in the "Murder 101" series.
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reading

2009-12-11T17:45:00.005-05:00

Today was the day. First I discovered that I can order a book to be picked up at my local B&N. So I bought Final Exam by Maggie Barbieri and Spy Games by Gina Robinson. Second, the Nook was at my local B&N. There was 2 nooks and the salesperson had one and I had the second Nook for 20 minutes all by myself. I was shown or showed how to buy books wireless, I held it, I pushed the buttons, I read a few pages, I put the cover on it , I sorted through the other books, and I just fell in love with how easy it was to use. I've seen and touched the Kindle and the Sony e-reader and visually, I like the Nook better. I'm still a print book person, but the nook would supplement my reading especially when traveling.

Old Man Winter has arrived. The big coat was worn. The thick gloves was used. Ear muffs, nice comfy hat, two scarves and leg warmers kept me toasty warm. Here's a question: why do we call old man winter old man winter and mother nature mother nature?

Celebrity news: Gene Barry, star of Bat Masterson, Burke's Law and The Name of the Game died on Wednesday at the age of 90.

Quilting update: tomorrow machine quilting. My original plan for the quilt has changed.

Word of the day: LURID - harshly shocking, sensational; glowing

Trivia: On this day in 1936, Britain's King Edward VIII abdicated in order to marry American Wallis Warfield Simpson. He became the Duke of Windsor.

Steps taken today: 5,498 (my ankle feels a little better - taking it slow)

on TV tonight: nothing

pps...I ordered the Nook and will be shipped January 15, 2010

I'm still reading Dial Om for Murder by Diana Killian
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it is cold outside

2009-12-10T19:13:00.000-05:00

Not much going on. It's cold. Snow is predicted. I don't believe the weather forecasters. I'm looking at my quilt project and wish I was home during the day where there is natural sunlight so that I could work on it. I want to hibernate, but alas, hibernation will not pay my maintenance fee.

Word of the day: ELUCIDATE - to explain; clarify

Trivia: On this day in 1953, Hugh Hefner published the first "Playboy" magazine with an investment of $7,600 AND on this day in 1958, the first domestic passenger jet flight took place in the U.S. when 111 passengers flew from New York to Miami on a National Airlines Boeing 707.

on TV tonight: Bones, The Mentalist

I'm reading Dial Om for Murder by Diana Killian, the second in the "Mantra for Murder" series.
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what a turnaround

2009-12-09T17:42:00.007-05:00

Yesterday was a calamitous day, today the opposite. I won over $25 on those lottery scratch off cards. Woo Hoo! I got the software that I needed. I got my membership card that I was looking for. I got my free blanket.

Word of the day: ZEAL - passion, excitement

Trivia: On this day in 1907, Christmas Seals went on sale for the first time, in the Wilmington, Delaware, post office.

on TV tonight: The Middle, Criminal Minds, CSI: NY

I'm reading Scandal Sheet by Gemma Halliday, the first in the new "Hollywood Headlines" series.
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did you know

2009-12-08T20:19:00.004-05:00

Did you know that the dinner meal you freshly prepared and put in the freezer for a later date in Ziploc storage container will crack if it falls to the floor while still frozen? I didn't..it's plastic.

Did you know that if you don't look on the bottom of said storage container and find the gap, the microwaved food will leak on the glass turntable?

Did you know that if you skin has been irritated all day it is because you can not wear linen shirt against your bare skin? What a relief when shirt was removed.

Did you know with swollen ankles, if you have a misstep over the darkened sidewalk while walking home from the library you will feel pain.?

Happy Holidays!

Quilting update: Need natural sunlight to do the machine quilting stitch. Will work on it this weekend.

Word of the day: FERVID - intensely emotional; feverish

Trivia: On this day in 1952, on the show "I Love Lucy," a pregnancy was acknowledged in a TV show for the first time.

on TV tonight: A Charlie Brown Christmas

I'm reading Take Me For a Ride by Karen Kendall, the third book in the "Artemis" series.
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discarded

2009-12-07T18:39:00.000-05:00

I had an off-site to attend this morning and since I was up early I read blogs, emails, read a few pages of my book and re-arranged my quilting space again and still I got there early.

The problem with the setup was that the quilting table was on the wall and I didn't have room to work on quilts properly. So I put the sewing table back in front of the window and move the quilting table to the side of the sewing table, now it's easier to handle quilts. I also want a larger size quilting table since my quilts are becoming larger and I need the room.

Has this happened to you? I was planning on eating a bowl of cereal for dinner and I took out my unopened container of milk. I twisted the top off and when I went to pull the tab which I always have to struggle to pull up, it came up rather easily. In fact, it freaked me out that the milk may have been tampered with that I discarded the whole container.

Quilting update: Wrote the label and sewing on back of quilt sandwich

Word of the day: COMPUNCTION - feeling of uneasiness caused by guilt or regret

Trivia: On this day in 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the U.S. constitution becoming the first of the United States.

on TV tonight: Two and a Half Men, The Closer, Castle

I'm still reading I, Alex Cross by James Patterson
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a name

2009-12-06T17:20:00.000-05:00

I didn't make it to my power walking class. There is only one more class until next year. Hopefully the doctor can find out what is causing the ankle swelling.

After my Sunday chores were done, I went to the quilt shop in search of fabric backing and I was successful. The fabric on the left was the one I last week and the one on the right is perfect.

We did not get any snow that I saw, however I did see a car with snow on its trunk. Must have traveled from someplace else.

This time I brought the top quilt with me and the salesperson liked how the design pattern brings out the three main colors. When I thought about the three colors, the name of the quilt came to me. It will be the longest named quilt that I've created thus far.

Word of the day: SATIATE - to satisfy fully or overindulge

Trivia: On this day in 1884, the construction of the Washington Monument was completed by Army engineers. The project took 34 years.

on TV tonight: Cold Case

I'm reading I, Alex Cross by James Patterson, the 16th book in the "Alex Cross" series.
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being lazy

2009-12-05T18:35:00.000-05:00

I didn't do much today. I went out for a short walk, then spent the rest of the day indoors, patiently waiting for this supposed snow storm that will probably not happen.

Today I discovered all the cool things about my cable provider has to offer. I can check the local weather, local news, my email, my voice mail, my DVR recordings and the TV listing all on my personalized page. What I like most is that I can sort the TV listing by "movies" and see all the movies that are coming on all the channels. There are a lot of Christmas shows airing, how cool is that. I can also look at those listing and click to record on my DVR.

Word of the day: JUGGERNAUT - huge force destroying everything in its path

Trivia: On this day in 1932, German physicist, Albert Einstein, was granted a visa making it possible for him to travel to the U.S. AND in 1848, President Polk triggered the Gold Rush of '49 by confirming the fact that gold had been discovered in California.

on TV tonight: White Christmas, Home Alone

I'm reading Final Approach by Rachel Brady, the first in the new "Emily Locke" mystery series.
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no feeling

2009-12-04T18:30:00.000-05:00

Today was quiet. Work is good. I'm doing the same job but with the new company dealing with new work policies.

I went to the quilt shop and couldn't find the fabric that I was envisioning. I saw something and at the time I felt it was a good match to my top quilt. As I sat at work, the feeling wasn't there. As soon as I got home, I laid the top quilt next to the new fabric that I bought and nah, it's not a good match. I can use the fabric in another project so it's back to the drawing board in search of the fabric backing. There is another quilt shop that I'll check out - they just don't have a huge inventory but maybe they'll have what I need.

Sak's Fifth Avenue's holiday window display follows...

Word of the day: PLEBEIAN - of a low social class

Trivia: On this day in 1918, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson set sail for France to attend the Versailles Peace Conference. Wilson became the first chief executive to travel to Europe while in office.

on TV tonight: Monk, White Collar

I'm still reading Murder Had A Little Lamb by Cynthia Baxter
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Saks Fifth Avenue Window Display

2009-12-04T18:28:00.000-05:00

Saks Fifth Avenue's 2009 Window Display tells the story of the children's book Twinkle, Twinkle Little Flake, the story of a snowflake named Twinkle. Twinkle fears the fall down to earth because she doesn't know where she will land. After a friend reassures her that not knowing is what makes the journey exciting, Twinkle leaves home and embarks on a wild adventure through New York.

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is it December?

2009-12-03T18:40:00.009-05:00

It is December 3 and 66 degrees. Sixty-six degrees in December. What happened to the average of 34 in December?

Christmas time in the city is all about the trees..
1) Rockefeller Center Tree
2) Tree in old company's building
3) Tree in front of new company's building
4) Tree seen while walking

Word of the day: PERDITION - eternal damnation

Trivia: On this day in 1833, Oberlin College in Ohio opened as the first truly coeducational school of higher education in the United States.

on TV tonight: Bones

I'm reading Murder Had A Little Lamb by Cynthia Baxter, the 8th book in the "Reigning Cats and Dogs" cozy mystery series.
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slow moving

2009-12-02T18:52:00.008-05:00

As seen on the streets...

Because my ankle/foot has been bothering me, I haven't taken any excursions to see the holiday display of the various buildings. Next week I have to be uptown, so I'll take pictures of Bloomingdale's window display. Tonight they light the Rockefeller Center tree and I'll take pictures of it tomorrow.

Word of the day: EPHEMERALE - lasting a short time

Trivia: On this day in 1804, Napoleon was crowned emperor of France at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris.

on TV tonight: Christmas in Rockefeller Center, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Middle, Glee

I'm reading Dirty Sexy Knitting by Christie Ridgway, the third and final book in the "Knitters" romantic series
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starting anew

2009-11-30T18:34:00.000-05:00

Today was sad. I went to work this morning working for one company and tomorrow I go to the same location and will be working for a different company. It was sad to say goodbye to my friends who I've worked with for 6 years. Tomorrow starts a new adventure and I'm hoping for exciting opportunities with the new company.

Macy's holiday window display follows...

Word of the day: DEFERENCE - respect, courtesy

Trivia: On this day in 1835, Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born. He wrote Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn under the name Mark Twain.

No steps today - ankle/foot bothering me

on TV tonight: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Shrek the Halls

November reading round-up: This month I've read 21 books and discovered 8 new-to-me authors: Linda Castillo, Evelyn David, Keith Donnelly, Kaitlyn Dunnett, Christy Evans, Elise Hyatt, Alan Jacobson and Wendy Lyn Watson. I've read the following types of books: 8 cozy mysteries, 6 thrillers, 4 mystery/suspense, 2 humorous mysteries and 1 romantic suspense.

Please say a prayer for Brandy who's daughter is have surgery tomorrow.

I'm reading True Blue by David Baldacci, the first book in a new series.
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Macy's 2009 Window Display

2009-11-30T18:26:00.008-05:00

At Macy's this year, the "Believe" holiday windows depict the magic behind the scenes of Christmas.

the view on Broadway

the view on 34th Street

the view on 34th Street with this year's logo "Believe"

alone again

2009-11-29T17:15:00.009-05:00

My sister and the kids left for home this morning. Today was house-cleaning day. Did the laundry. Swept the floors. Mopped the floors. I even mopped outside my apartment door.

I put up the two window decorations that I have. I'm going to see if I can find a very small table-top pre-decorated Christmas tree.

The swelling in the ankle/foot is now bothering me where my shoes have become uncomfortable. I have to call the doctor and have him recommend a podiatrist.

Quilting update: Here is the finished top quilt. Next step is the quilt sandwich.

Word of the day: DERIVATIVE - copied or adapted; not original

Trivia: On this day in 1975, Bill Gates adopted the name Microsoft for the company he and Paul Allen had formed to write the BASIC computer language for the Altair.

I'm reading The Fashion Hound Murders by Elaine Viets, the 5th book in the "Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper" series.
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another quiet day

2009-11-28T17:48:00.009-05:00

Today was another quiet day spent home. My sister and the kids went into the city for some shopping. I caught up on some sleep; watched recorded TV shows; read books; quilted; went food shopping and bought a new kitchen trash can. The old one had one of those lingering odors that no matter what I did still smelled.

Quilting update: The top quilt is nearly complete. I just have to add a finishing touch to it and then the top quilt will be finished. Next step is to purchase the backing so that I can make the quilt sandwich. The design looks like a nine-patch quilt block but in reality it is four-patch quilt blocks meshed together.

Word of the day: PUERILE - childish, immature, silly

Trivia: On this day in 1520, Portuguese navigator, Ferdinand Magellan, reached the Pacific Ocean after passing through the South American strait. The strait was named after him. He was the first European to sail the Pacific from the east.

I'm still reading Crush by Alan Jacobson
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