I Made the Book

So we are up in Idyllwild at my parent's home for the weekend. Mom is doing much better. The chemo has begun to do its work. She has had a host of secondary issues but nothing that the doctors so far can't deal with.

The last time we were up here hubby and I went to the pottery shop to spend a few hours painting. There is not a lot to do up here so it has become a bit of a ritual. It was a Sunday so my mom went and picked up our work the next day after they fired in the kiln. When Mom called me that afternoon to tell me she had picked up our stuff she said, "Oh, they made me wait, they wanted to take a picture of your plate for the book." Weeeee.... they have a book on the counter of items done by people that they consider good enough to share that might inspire others to get creative. I will be very vain here and say... I always wanted to be in the book. :)

25 Questions - 24 & 25

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Yes... have been bad this week at finishing these up. Been super crazy at work and tooooooo hot here at home. Find I have no energy at all. But here are the last two and that will be the end of these 25. If you have used any of them as prompts for your blog would love for you to comment and offer a link.

Question #24 ~

How would you like to die?

Gracefully. Oh, and I really want Van Morrison's Moondance album for my funeral music.

Question #25 ~

What is your motto?

Be happy, worry only when necessary, love a lot, be kind, try something new, dance everyday.

(Okay, lots of little motto's, but hey, it is my blog.)

25 Questions - 23

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Question #23 ~

Which talent would you most like to have?

I would like to be able to play beautiful music... guitar, piano... something lovely. But like asking what I would change about myself this is probably doable. Lots of time, a bit of money and tons of practice. Not sure I want it that badly. So for now, I will tune in my radio to classic for the drive home and smile at other's wonderful talent.

25 Questions - 21 & 22

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Question #21 ~

What is it that you most dislike?

When people say, "I am not judging you, but..."

Question #22 ~

What is your greatest regret?

If you regret something that implies you want something changed, done different. And while there are many things in my life I could have and some I should have done different, the chain reaction to any going back is just too monumental to imagine. So I try to learn from my mistakes and consider them lessons that were necessary, bumps in my path and consider how to do better in the future and try to the best of my ability to avoid regrets.

25 Questions - 20

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Question #20 ~

What historical figure do you most identify with?

I have racked my brain searching for a historical figure to identify with... got nothing.

If anyone knows a slightly underpaid bookkeeper mother with four kids who sometimes wrote and painted on occasion, had a few close friends and a husband she adored who was a historical figure just let me know so I can edit this answer.

25 Questions - 19

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Question #19 ~

Who are your favorite writers?

My friends in my writing group. Every month we get together and inspire each other to be creative. A simple prompt during the meeting, or they might bring something they have written since we last met to share, but they are all amazing writers and friends.

And the wonderful friends I have made since I began my Pictures, Poetry & Prose blog project. Every single day I am astounded at how talented the writers are that offer up their writing at PP&P to the beautiful images I am privileged to share there.

Oh yeah, and Harper Lee. I had an anonymous post once at PP&P that I could swear was her. Hey, she might blog, you never know.

25 Questions - 18

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Question #18 ~

What is your most marked characteristic?

Well I just don't like this one at all. Maybe I should do a quasi-scientific survey of friends and acquaintances and see what the response is. Wonder what my children would say? Wonder what Hubby would say, or my mom? I just really am not enjoying offering my own answer.

First it seems a bit redundant after quite a few of the other answers previously. I have offered my empathy and my love of Hubby and kids, but that is probably not a marked characteristic is it? Secondly, I really want to find a positive and upbeat answer. Oh wait, upbeat and positive... I am to a fault... optimistic. Often according to a couple friends, annoyingly so.

There you go, optimism... my glass is brimming full most all of the time.

25 Questions - 17

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Question #17 ~

What is your favorite occupation?

Merriam says -
Main Entry: oc·cu·pa·tion
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English occupacioun, from Anglo-French occupaciun, from Latin occupation-, occupatio, from occupare
Date: 14th century
1 a: an activity in which one engages b: the principal business of one's life : vocation2 a: the possession, use, or settlement of land : occupancy b: the holding of an office or position3 a: the act or process of taking possession of a place or area : seizure b: the holding and control of an area by a foreign military force c: the military force occupying a country or the policies carried out by it.

So, by the first definition I would say my favorite occupation is writing. Well, not technically true all the time, sometimes it really stinks, is hard pushing toward impossible. Other times, I can write a single sentence that makes my heart leap for joy and occasionally a poem or a short story feels so good going from brain to fingers to paper that it is wonderful.

Now as far as the principal business of one's life definition... for the past 16 years I have been a bookkeeper. I never meant to be a bookkeeper, it just sort of happened to me... like catching a virus. But I seem to do it decently, and they keep paying me to do it. But as for favorite it is a bit like saying your only cousin is your favorite cousin even though that cousin is the one who gave you wedgies as a kid, or tattled on you. They are your favorite only because you have no other choice.

I took possession of my house 12 years ago. It is small, and often a bit messy, the kitchen needs updating, and the upstairs bathroom sometimes has issues, but it is mine, the payment for my taking possession is reasonable and it is home.

Hmmm... by military force... oh, wait, once in fourth grade the girls stormed the boys' tree fort and for one glorious day we were conquerors. Then they took it back the next day.

25 Questions - 16

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Question #16 ~

What is your most treasured possession?

Lately it has been Henry. My laptop computer. As it allows me to express myself in many different ways. Although paper and pen work well too where that is concerned. Henry is named Henry because it seemed to fit nicely. I connect with friends with Henry's help. I have made wonderful new friends with Henry's help. I help to inspire others to write and that fills my heart with joy.

Ask this question a month from now it might have a different answer, but today Henry is treasured.

25 Questions - 15

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Question #15 ~

Where would you like to live?

On a beautiful coast in a small stone cottage.

25 Questions - 14

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Question #14 ~

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

When I shared this question with a friend he rolled his eyes and said it was too much like a bad job interview question. So I have been racking my brain trying to come up with a non-cliche' answer, like my children or my marriage (all quite significant achievements).

Greatest implies that I have done anything great. I haven't done much that would be on the radar as great. Hmmm... won a writing contest once, that felt nice at the time, but probably not spectacular enough for even great let alone greatest. I have come to be at peace with my very long toes and now get them pedicured and wear open toed sandals regularly. Well, I mean if you knew how much I hated them when I was a kid you might think that was great. Oh, maybe my driving on the freeway. Yeah, I know I live in Southern California near impossible not to drive on the freeway. But this was once a HUGE fear for me, pushing toward panic attack, and I have had really worked hard to overcome it. I can drive into Los Angeles now if the need arises. Huge deal for me, but probably not great.

Sorry, my greatest achievements... my beautiful, happy, healthy children and my fun and happy hubby.

25 Questions - 13

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Question #13 ~

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

This is a tricky question because every answer I consider is really doable. So if I really wanted it to change I should get up off my lazy bottom and excersise more, eat less, eat healthy, be more confident when talking to others, finish my book, take more chances with my carreer, speak my mind more, not let my boss treat me so poorly, be a better housekeeper, cook more meals at home, etc... etc.. but each change requires effort, and more than that... change. And change has never been my strong suit.

25 Questions - 12

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Question #12 ~

When and where were you the happiest?

The moment they put my son in my arms 22 years ago tomorrow.

The moment they put my daughter in my arms 20 years ago.

Snuggled inside a sleeping bag next to Dan on the bank of the Colorado river deep in the Grand Canyon under a blanket of stars.

Sitting on a pristine white beach in Cabo San Lucas with my toes in the sand and the sun just setting and Dan kissed me.

Standing in front of my minister uncle in our backyard in the moment he said you may kiss the bride.

This morning when he kissed me goodbye to go to work.

And 1,000,000 more small and big events. Happy is easy.

No 25 Questions this weekend...

So we drove up to the mountains to visit my parents, but I forgot and left the list of 25 questions on my nightstand. So I will have to get going again tomorrow.

So in the meantime pictures from Aimee and Kyle's wedding...

25 Questions - 11

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Question #11 ~

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My husband. He is my forever and eternity.

25 Questions - 10

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Question #10 ~

What do you most value in your friends?

Ok, this is going to sound a bit stupid, but I most value their friendship.

People come and go in your life. Friendships rise and fall, woosh at the beginning then fade a bit after time. Some friends you may not talk to for weeks, months, years and yet when you come back together sometimes it is like you were never apart. Yet others you pass by at the mall or grocery store just by coincidence and you barely say hello. There was no fight, no big breakup just life changes and so sometimes friendships falter.

So what I value is the immediate and what positive things a person brings into my life at the moment. Do I hope some friends will still be with me when I am old and grey (ok, grey-er, but the box of red fixes that issue still) of course, but I know the odds aren't with me. So I laugh and enjoy their friendship while I have it. I give truly of myself and try to not hold back the real me. I know misunderstandings will happen and I try to live by the Golden Rule and treat every friend like I hope they will treat me.

So, I value most in my friends their friendship.

(Picture of me and my very good friend Kay from... OMG... about 9-10 years ago now... and yes, we are still friends, and I value it so very much.)

25 Questions - 9

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Question #9 ~

Which living person do you most despise?

Myself for hugging my husband's ex-wife at the wedding yesterday. Sighhh... she damn well took me by surprise. She spent the last siXteen years making my life hell at every opportunity she had. I have had a thousand conversations with her in my own head, calling her on the carpet for the hundreds of things that hurt those in my family.

But I smiled and hugged back (the first hug EVER in 16 years, for that matter I can count the words she has spoke to me before the wedding on one hand)... and felt just miserable for it. It is sometimes hard to just let go of anger and unhappiness even for the sake of peace and your child's happiness. But I did it, but still... despise for today... myself.

25 Questions - 8

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Question #8 ~

What do you dislike most about your appearence?

The back of my left knee... have one mole there that I don't care for.

25 Questions - 7

25 questions from an interview found in the back of Vanity Fair while I was getting a pedicure. I invite anyone to answer with me these questions, here as a comment or on your own blog and leave me a link/note.

Question #7 ~

On what occasion do you lie?

Mmmmm... this cake is delicious.
Yes, I like your new purse.
I am (cough, sniffle, cough) sick and can't come in to work today. (I only use this one about once every couple of years.)
Oh, she is the cutest baby.
Yes, I love the pants you got me for my birthday, the flower print is pretty.

Charitable deductions... (no actually never have done this one, I can't lie to the IRS... that would just be too stressful.)

Really, when the truth would just be hurtful and the lie is white. It is a squiggly line sometimes, but I try to be as honest as I can.

Father's Day

They took their dad out for lunch. Three of the four children (the other had work issues). I love this picture as it is so full of all I love, my husband Dan and Aimee, Matthew and Jessica.