OK

I did the big squeeze today and all is well. They sure don't let you have any hints along the way. I suffered through 9 mammogram pictures then went to a sonogram. Since I did feel something before going in there, the look on the women's faces had me convinced of the worst. Their expressions are deadpan. I literally dropped into a chair when I met with the doctor and he showed me that the pictures were all clear. No explanation of what I felt but I'm just glad it's nothing to worry about. I will definitely be more diligent in the future. Always was until I ran into a problem with my former gyn. Never met the woman for all the years I went to that office. Always dealt with her Nurse Practitioner. Suddenly the NP is gone and the gyn is introducing herself. Needless to say she found all kinds of problems and I was under the knife. Nothing she did was successful and it was pure torture. I no longer want anything to do with her. Sure hope the new office is better! I miss the old NP! Wish I could find where she went.

Sold a house to a young couple about 8 or 9 years ago. I stayed in touch as I usually do with cards throughout the year. When it was time for them to head back to their hometown they called me to sell their home. Love them for that! I was successful and off they went. Her job was still local even though she was now living 4 hours away and she had to come back every so often to touch base and hang out with her manager. Our phone would ring and she and sometimes both of them would ask to stay with us. We were generous for quite a few years but it turned into abuse when the children started coming and I was asked to babysit while she did her office time locally. No compensation! I started to be unavailable and I thought they'd finally gotten the hint. Last night she called and said she'd missed talking to me and how was I doing. Sure enough, she needed a favor. She lost her job locally a few months ago but a friend of her's from here lost her mother recently and the funeral is this week. She's bringing both babies (2 and 4) and wondered if I could watch them while she goes to the viewing or funeral. She caught me in a generous moment (and after all it's a death) so I agreed to rush home from work tomorrow to spend my evening watching her kids. She had just mentioned how they fight all the time so I'm just thrilled to have them here for 3 hours or so. I'll bet that she asks if they can stay. She already has her foot in the door with the little ones so what will I do? I don't have a baby proof house anymore. Oh dear!

Rain, rain, rain.........

Through a torrential downpour we made our way north to the big 60th class reunion. It's only about a 2 hour trip on a good day but with road work and rain that kept visability at a minimum we arrived around 2:00. Gave us time to take a quick nap before heading for the "ballroom" where the reunion was to be held. What a crowd! Little did we know that they had not just combined 3 years worth of graduates but had combined 17 years worth of graduates. 1947 through 1964! Still being the youngest in the room was a good thing! A whopping 10 classmates were there from hubby's class. They all had the negative attitude that this would be their last one. What a bummer! When they parted it was with hugs and "well we probably won't see each other again." Sad! It was hysterical to watch that crowd out on the dance floor doing every dance but the Charleston. At least if they were celebrating their last reunion then it was with style. We made an early night of it and were back in our room by midnight. Most from our "group" had called it a night hours before but we stuck around with the last stragglers. We're talking a lot of loud music and a lot of hearing aids that were turned to the "off" position. One guy said that his battery had been drained! We took a spin through the cemetery on the way home to visit the in-laws graves. Still no headstone for them and they've been gone for years. It was hubby's brother's responsibility as "whatever" and he never did what was necessary. We got the information needed and will finally do what should have been done so many years ago. We were soaked from our visit since the downpour continued all weekend. I did manage to get some information from some tombstones that might be helpful in the search for hubby's ancestry. I hate that I only have his grandparents names and nothing beyond. Hmmmmmmmmmm! Secrets!

I was anxious to start the Philipa Gregory novel that just came out but am a bit disappointed so far. Her style is different. She's got each chapter as a dialogue from the main characters and so far I'm not sure I like that style. I haven't gotten too far into it so I should wait to pass judgement.

Mammogram Monday

I'm facing the dreaded squeeze on Monday. This time there's a possibility of a mass or lump so it's a very stressful time. In the meantime I have to attend the dreaded reunion trip this weekend. Now I dread it even more. I guess anything that will keep my mind off of the Monday event will be a blessing.

Almost finished with "Nectar From a Stone" by Jane Guill. I've read enough to know that it's a very good read. Another historic fiction. The mid 1300's with Wales as the setting. The hundred years war is over and if you're Welsh then your less than the dung on the bottom of a shoe as far as the English are concerned. Young Elise (half English and Welsh) has buried her family from the plague but was contracted to marry before her Father's death. Suffering a cruel marriage where beatings and worse were doled out regularly; Elise stabbed her husband during one of these beatings and thought him dead. She and her maid threw him in the river and took his money and ran. Unfortunately he survived and in pursuit. The journey is filled with interesting information. Fascinating that women in the 1300's we treated like those in the 1970's here in America without repurcusions.

The Keepsake

A novel by Tess Gerritsen. I've read most of her novels and they're full of suspense. There's a medical examiner, a female detective and a male detective. The serial killer in this one turns his victims into mummies, "bog bodies", and even did a shrunken head. Someone with an archaeological background was definitely involved. The next victim is a young archaeologist that is working at a remote Boston museum and living a secret life. Her Mother is the true target but she's hidden away for most of her life to keep she and her daughter safe from the lunatic stalker/serial killer. It was a fast read and good page turner. Along the lines of Kathy Reich and early Patricia Cornwell.

Have a few days off the new job. One day of work on Thursday and then off for the weekend since it's hubby's class reunion weekend. Really have gear up for this event. Briefly met a few of the classmates 10 years ago but haven't seen any since then and this time they've invited two other classes to join them. Sure hope there's name tags! Also glad that we're only going to for the one night instead of the three day event they scheduled. Have the reunions more often and for one evening instead of every 10 years and a weekend long event.

A sequel

I finished "Flying Changes" by Sara Gruen. It's the sequel to "Riding Lessons" that I read recently. It takes the life of Annemarie Zimmer through even more ups and downs. From her life changing and almost life ending fall from her horse in her teens to her 40th birthday. Okay, it's a bit sappy at times and somewhat predictable but it was a fun and an interesting read. Just what I needed for a day off. If you're into horses you'd really enjoy this book. I was hoping for the Philippa Gregory book for my next one but that would entail getting out of my pj's and driving eleven miles to the closest bookstore. I've got quite a few other books waiting to be read and I'll pick her book up next time I have a chance.

"Mistress of the Art of Death"

A novel by Ariana Franklin set in the 1100's. England has a serial killer. His victims are small children. They have suffered dispicable injuries. A well known "detective" is brought from Salerno and along with him comes a "doctor of death." Not only is "she" a doctor but she's interested in the dead and studies their bodies. Since being a woman doctor is not accepted in England she brings another male friend to pretend to be the doctor and she the assistant. Like reading a 12th century Patricia Cornwell novel. The story line was good but I wasn't overly thrilled with the style of writing. I found it difficult to read without finding myself drifting and having to re-read different sections. I was glad to finish it and move on to something else. Today is all about some chores and keeping off my very sore feet.

First paycheck

Well if it's any indication of what's to come then I'm in trouble! I got my first paycheck today. The hourly rate was wrong and I was short 16 hours. When I asked about it I was told that they'd straighten it out by the next check which is two weeks away. We're talking $300. Why would I want to wait that long for that kind of money. Why do they think I took the job? It was my day to walk around with the zone manager to learn the layout of the land. I bet I walked 4-5 miles. I was dragging my butt out of there this afternoon in tears. Finally made the decision to go to the foot doctor to do something about the heel spur. Painful shot can't be as bad as the last two weeks of agony. Tomorrow is my first day off in 9 days and I'm thinking it will be good to just soak in a tub for about 4 hours. Back to real estate on Sunday for a change.

Still trying to get through my latest book. Not something I'm really enjoying even though it's an historic fiction. Hopefully I'll wrap it up tonight if I don't fall asleep first. Philippa Gregory has a new one out which I have to get my hands on. She never lets me down.

The grandchildren are here for an overnight. Nice to spend some time with them.

New Job

I finished the training today and got to go "shadow" at my new post. Unless they plan to give me a big raise then I think I will be searching for another job elsewhere. This is way above the pay scale that they put me in. It's amazing that everyday you learn something new that isn't necessarily a good thing. Like how they change your schedule on you after it's been given out or that you have to do mandatory meetings on your one weekend off. Next week's schedule is for only 14 hours which isn't worth it for traveling money. From 9 days straight to two spread out over a full week. I wish Border's would call! If I'm going to be on my feet all day at least I'd be surrounded by books.

Off to dinner at the daughter's house! She's earning brownie points that her siblings aren't getting.

Neurologist

I had a bunch of appointments this week during around my hectic new job training. Felt like I was running to and fro. Yesterday was a trip to a neurologist. My "essential tremor" has gotten really bad and is now spread from the right hand to the left. I could somewhat control it until earlier this year and it seemed to get worse in February which was also the time I had the neck surgery. The surgeon assured me that the surgery wouldn't affect my tremor. Funny, the neurologist told me it can and most likely did. I've never spent an hour and a half with a doctor before (unless he had me in surgery). This guy was thorough. He had a full page of hand written notes till he got done and did a bunch of tests. First thing is to go back on the non-generic brand of medication I was taking before the insurance company insisted that I take something cheaper. After I take this for about two weeks I'll make a determination as to whether it is improved or not. If not there's another drug that I can take that will hopefully help. This one will probably make me feel like I've been drinking a lot. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm! Now I know why my brother doesn't have as bad a tremor as I do. He does drink a lot! I'm grateful that my children haven't inherited the tremor which I inherited from my grandfather on my mother's side. Unfortunately the doctor mentioned that just because they haven't shown signs of it yet that they could possibly have it happen as they get older. Sorry guys! I just want to get to the point that I don't slop my soup down my front. I'm close to needing a big spoon for everything I eat now.

One more day of off-site training in Harrisburg and then it's all on the job. I'll be glad not to have the drive anymore. I haven't had a chance to go to the real estate office for two weeks. How quickly it's become unimportant!

I was checking for comments on my blog and discovered one that was written when I blogged about Barbara Kyle's book "The Queen's Lady." The author herself wrote one! Wow! Glad I gave her a good review!

Latest book

I finished "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Guernsey is a small British island between England and France and during World War II it was occupied by the Germans. The time frame of the novel was 1946. The main character is writer Juliet who is living in London. She receives a letter from a gentleman in Guernsey requesting help in locating a book. The correspondence continues and enlarges to include all the people that are members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. It also includes Juliet's publisher and also her best friend. During the war there was little food left on Guernsey even for the occuping Germans and they were reduced to coming up with whatever they could to vary their meals of potatoes and turnips. One recipe was making a pie out of potatoes and peels. The locals on Guernsey united once a month to read and debate their choice of books as entertainment in an otherwise tragic time. It continued and so did their friendships. Juliet is drawn to them through the correspondence and comes for a visit to meet her new friends in person. The story is wonderful and was written entirely in the form of letters to and from the characters. It took a little while to get all the characters in place but once they were it was a great read.

More training.....

I went to my first day on site at my new job. Spent the whole day staring at the computer taking one course after another with tests after each lesson. By noon I had a throbbing migraine from the headset that I had to wear. While I'm taking this training they have people parading through the room having conversations with the HR rep. and having meetings. The worst is that I have two more days of computer lessons and videos then I head back to two days of off site training in Harrisburg for the weekend. By next week I'll be shadowing someone. Sounds like I'll have the really early shift which wouldn't be bad if hubby didn't have a later one. I'll be ready for dinner by 4:00 in the afternoon like all good senior citizens and he'll be wanting his at 6:30 when he gets home. Bad planning. Didn't even get a lunch break today.

Guess my reading time is now cut. I still carry a book with me in the hopes that a few moments will appear for me to read a few pages. My latest read is "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Wasn't sure about it when I first started reading it but I'm really enjoying it now. More later...........

Lots of family gatherings coming up. A reunion for more cousins that my daughter is kindly offered to host. Everyone will bring something so it will be just be me making a large meat dish, providing paper/plastic stuff and drinks. A birthday party for one of my aunts will be the next weekend. The hubby's reunion is soon and will take up two days since it's a few hours away and we get to stay over. Sure hope I can get all these days off.

Last days of freedom

My last two days before heading off to the new job. Had to fit some doctor and dentist appointments in this week. Figure I need to get all that out of the way if I'm going to work this wacky schedule that they've put me on. Also finished Sara Gruen's "Riding Lesson." I'm not a horse person but I did enjoy this book. Annemarie has been groomed to be an Olympic Equestrian rider when the worst possible thing happens. Her horse falls and she's badly hurt. The horse had to be put down and she spent the next 15 months in the hospital wondering if she'd ever walk again. Fast forward 20 years and she's headed back home after a failed marriage with her rebellious daughter in tow. She discovers her ailing father is in the final stages of ALS and can no longer work the horse training facility that they run. Her mother is busy with the father's needs and Annemarie takes over the running of the stables. She discovers a horse that is identical to her horse that was put down so many years ago and he's rare. A brindle which is something most people never see. Here's another and she's fascinated by him. Since he's been rescues from a "kill pen" she takes it upon herself to get him back in shape. Through investigation she discovers his real background and that leads to a whole different situation. Her obsession with this horse is causing her to lose focus on the stables and the management of everything involved. A very good read and I've discovered there is a sequel which now I'll have to find and read also.

Wonderful little novel

Sally Gunning's "The Widow War" is a wonderful read. Set in 1761 in the small town of Brewster, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. Lydia Berry is tending her home when she's informed that her husband has drowned while whaling. Little did she know what that would really mean. In a world where women had no rights, she would become a "burden." A woman could only inherit one third of her home and whatever she brought into the marriage in the way of possessions. The rest went to the nearest male heir. In her case it was her son-in-law. Before she knew what was happening she had a room in his house with a trunk of her clothing and nothing else. Her daughter was resentful of another female in the house even though Widow Berry just wanted to help, not interfere. She was expected to stay in her room and only use the "hearth" on certain days and times to do her baking and cooking. She just wanted to return to her home and live on her own. What she goes through to accomplish this is an amazing story. Facing starvation she is forced into becoming a housekeeper for a Native American neighbor therefore becoming an outcast in her community. Her only friend is her lawyer who is trying to fight for whatever rights he can get for her. I remember reading the wills of my ancestors where the wives are barely mentioned and when they are they get a pan, a dish, a fork and a knife. How sad that their lives were reduced to just those few things.

My orientation was filled with "it's all about the customer!" An hour's travel (each way) in miserable weather just to hear that comment over and over. They could have just told me that when I was hired and saved the journey. I struggled through the long session and the rainy drive home. The fact that I'm facing two more days of that next weekend is not something I'm looking forward to. The rest of the training will be on computer or by shadowing a fellow employee.

New Job tomorrow

I start orientation tomorrow for the new job. It's an all day event in Harrisburg. Got to be there by 8 a.m. so I guess I'll be getting up at 5:30 to be sure I make it in time. Might as well get used to it since I have my work schedule for the next two weeks and three days I start at 6 a.m. They have me working every day for 9 days straight. Nothing like easing back into the work force. Got to get a few outfits, too.

I finished "The Lady Queen" by Barbara Kyle. It was an historic fiction. Another about a ward of Sir Thomas More. This ward was totally fictional. Sir Thomas was a fanatic about his Catholism and did everything he could to rid England of heretics. Most were burned at the stake. His ward is Honor who adored him and was well taught in his household. When her early childhood friend was burned at the stake by More it ended her relationship with him. Her quest became getting all she could out of England that would end up at the stake. She was a lady in waiting for Queen Catherine and stayed with her until the Queen was sent off to a convent. It gave Honor the cover she needed to continue her quest. She became an advocate for the Protestants but never converted. No longer a believer in Catholism and not taking on the Protestant belief she would end up the way of the people she tried to save. I love those historic fictions! This one was very good. The author even threw some insights into Anabaptists which is interesting to me since most of my ancestors we Anabaptists.

Another Bourne Book

Although Robert Ludlum has been dead for years now his well known character Jason Bourne lives on. The author of "The Bourne Sanction", Eric Van Lustbader, was co-writing books with Ludlum before Ludlum's death so he was apparently given the rights to continue writing Bourne novels by the family estate. The books are okay but if they tracked with the original Jason Bourne novels then "old Jason" would be in his 60's and no longer capable of doing what this character does in the new novels. Jason Bourne was in Vietnam during the war so I can figure out the math. Van Lustbader writes a good novel and it keeps you interested but he definitely isn't Robert Ludlum. I guess he's hoping to inspire Hollywood to continue the Jason Bourne movies using his novels. In this novel, every covert operation is trying to take over control of each other. While all this is happening Jason is sent off by his mentor (a professor at Georgetown where Jason has worked in the past as David Webb, his alter ego) to Russia to uncover the Black Legion group. Lots of killing and fights to the finish take place. Of course the whole world is out to kill Jason!