You are so kind.

Thank you. You know who you are.

The person who always comments on my blogs, whether they deserve attention or not. The reader who clicks "like" on my inane Facebook commentary. The individual that researches an issue and provides me an answer in mere moments.

It would be terrible to write without a reader to acknowledge one's existence.

Today was a productive day. I wrapped up a 20 page PowerPoint for numerous executives, engineers and technicians to sit through on Friday. Doubtless to say, they will more than likely be multi-tasking throughout my riveting presentation. They have to stay on schedule, you know.

Schedule. I like the way the Brits and some Canadians say it. "Shhedule" without the hard C. Maybe I will see if I can pull that off Friday. "I say, we must stay on shhheduuule. For, if we do not, we will be quite late, my dear fellows. That will place us in a sticky wicket, I am shurrre." (You have to imagine the clipped, highbrow, somewhat nasally British accent).

Obviously I have nothing to talk about. I spent 10 hrs on work, don't want to talk about that. Have not spiffed up my bedroom yet. My house is dusty and needs a deep cleaning. I sit here with no desire to do any housework. Oh, I did clean out the slide out cabinet drawers to store BRUCE'S new "Emeril" cookware. Now, in addition to all else there is to do, I have a counter covered with an overflow of spices.

I am watching Jane Austen's "Emma" starring Gwyneth Paltrow as I type. It is at the part where the handsome Mr. Knightly criticizes Emma for being cruel to a poor neighbor. She deserves the criticism, but it is sad - you can see it pierces her soul. I did see a very good, newer version, I think it was on PBS? a few months ago. The "Emma" was quite unlikeable, but made for an entertaining show. Yes, I just checked: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/emma/index.html. I recommend it, of course.

I wish I had a group of like-minded lady friends who would have wine and book discussions, Jane Austen movie nights and rousing discussions about historical fashions. We would also take a yearly trip to somewhere in northern England, or the Lakes district. Or, maybe stay in a drafty Scottish castle and drool over handsome gardeners. Maybe go to one of those "Jane Austen costume weeks" where you actually "go back in history ", doing all the things they might have done in the late 1770's-1800's. Tea, dances, crumpets and empire waist gowns.

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/jane-austens-bath-cream-teas-and-genteel-spas-for-ladies-at-leisure-2202349.html#

I have been to Bath, England. Would love to go again. http://www.royalcrescent.co.uk/

I better send my passport off for renewal, it expires in March. I filled out everything last weekend, but needed two 2x2 color passport pics. I couldn't get my printer/photo program to shrink a picture to 2x2. I do have photo paper.

That Mr. Knightly is almost as handsome as Mr. Darcy in "Pride and Prejudice".

Good night, kind person.

Eating cereal for dinner & my "new" bedroom.

I am not sure what I am having for dinner tonight, as we threw away the box (one of those giant Costco boxes of cereal). Cinnamon Chex or Life, I believe. (little square cinnamony thingies]. A bit like having a dessert, it is so sweet. Add a few cooked apples, it would be like pie. Makes me wonder if I could make a cobbler with this cereal? Ahhh, but my mind wanders. I was really thinking of blogging about eating a bit "non-traditionally" for meals. I love to have breakfast for dinner. breakfast and soup.

I just let the dogs out and guess what was sitting on the bench outside my door? MY NEW BEDROOM. Yes, my new 8 piece comforter set in a huge box. I won't open it tonight, as I want to clean my room, polish up the furniture and get rid of my old stuff.

Isn't that pretty! Now I have to find some drapes, bathroom towels and a rug!

Jewelry. In My World, Each Piece Has a Story.

I am wearing the stone on a silver chain in this picture.

In my world, every piece of jewelry I own has it's own story. For example, today a co-worker admired my lovely multi-color blue molten glass necklace wrapped in silver. It really was quite stunning against my sky blue turtleneck, I agreed. I then had to tell her the story of how I got it, along with an entire skit, with shuffling, hand gestures and all.

A few years ago Bruce, Leroy and I brought Bruce's parents cross-country from Olympia, WA to Roseau, MN. Along the way we stopped at several national monuments, one was Mt. Rushmore.

I had my birthday while we were in Montana. Mom & Dad Davis felt bad that they had only bought me a mug with a bear on it from Yellowstone. When we got to Mt. Rushmore, we were at a local artist community and there was lots of homemade jewelry. I spotted the molten blues and pinks stone wrapped in silver with a hammered silver collar and exclaimed, "Isn't this lovely? I just love this!".

As I moved on and turned a corner, I saw Melba grab Ed's arm. Together the tiny couple shuffled toward the necklace and I saw Melba gesturing and whispering to Ed. They both grabbed the neck it was displayed on and excitedly hurried back to the counter, together.

Every time I wear that necklace, I remember how delighted they both were to give me something I loved. And, I hold them and my necklace even dearer in my heart for what I saw that day.

For the Women in my Family - Two Roads Diverged...

Ladies: I put this collage together for you. Doesn't look as good as jpg.

Thoughts @ 1AM

Now that I am wide-awake...

Every night Bruce calls at about 11:45PM when he gets home from work. It's something we both want and need. Tonight his call woke me and now I am getting too involved in FB and other people's blogs and my mind is racing-and it is 1AM.

Bruce bought a "new" car (2009 Ford Fusion) and he said it drives like a dream - he has had to drive that Focus with faulty suspension for quite a while. It shook when you took corners, so I am glad he got something nice for us. He got the color I wanted, it is shiny black with multi-colored specks in the paint (Tuxedo Black). It has a 6CD changer. It does not have the moon roof I wanted and it is a standard transmission-I had wanted automatic for city driving. Should get great gas mileage. It was a great price, we checked Kelly Blue Book. Of course, I am sure Bruce did not bargain at all...I probably would have got another $500 off doing negotiations, but he hates doing that.

As soon as I finish this blog, I will go back to my old movie I was watching earlier, "My Man Godfrey" ... starring Carole Lombard (she is so wacky!) and William Powell. It is a delightful "feel good" movie, if you have not seen it. It will relax and put me to sleep. Here it is, free on Google video. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6936786870782321920#

I have a busy day tomorrow. Our client has signed two more contracts with us. I will be in Milwaukee into mid-May. I am managing a Citrix desktop upgrade for a state-wide health care system, a Novell Server decomission and more. Every day is exciting and different.

Good night, dear space. I am thankful you are here for me to fill with thoughts and pictures.

A Good Day - Keeping balance

It's a good day with my grandaughter Katie and fiancee Chris visiting, then became even better when my son David with his nephew/my grandson Andy also arrived!

We played a lot of marble games and all watched an old black and white movie (forgot the name), but it was funny....with Cary Grant and Irene Dunne.

I made a big pot of homemade beef soup/stew; a recipe from this month's "Taste of Home" magazine. Served with fresh biscuits and cold milk - it was tasty.

We all went to "True Grit" @ the Comet Theater in Perham. The movie was entertaining. Sad at the end. We all want to see the original w/John Wayne and read the book now.

I don't have any brilliant thoughts, but today reminds me of "life balance". I need days like this to balance the travel/intense work schedule of the week.

Earlier this morning I read an article that talked about places where people were happiest...when they had a life balance, made sure they took vacations, only worked part of the week...etc.

I am appreciating life balance so much more now that I am older.

Scared there is too much work ahead

I have a huge undertaking ahead of me on my latest project. I am really worried that when my co-worker eases off the project I will lose so much experience and knowledge that I will not be able to help the client like they need.

I will need to 1) ensure I have all the steps of my project plan down, 2) I follow through on all tasks, 3) Stay in people's faces.

Communicate, communicate (but quality communications)!

I think some chocolate would help me feel better about this, but all I have is an apple.