starting anew

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

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

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

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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a quiet day after

I was not one of those who braved the day called Black Friday. At 6am, I was watching the long twice around the block lines on the morning news. Instead me, my sister and her kids had breakfast and then watched Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. We then listened to Christmas music ranging from The Nutcracker, Handel's Messiah, Jackson 5 Christmas Album to Christmas With The Chipmunks.

Quilting update: The nine four-patch quilt blocks have been grouped into three rows, again in no particular order.

Word of the day: ALLEVIATE - to make more bearable

Trivia: On this day in 1889, Curtis P. Brady was issued the first permit to drive an automobile through Central Park in New York City.

I'm reading Crush by Alan Jacobson, the second book in the “Karen Vail” thriller series.
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Happy Thanksgiving

I hope all that celebrates the holiday enjoyed their time with family and/or friends.

I have a lot to be thankful for first and foremost is my family and my health, followed by my friends. I'm also thankful for all the authors that create and write great characters with their words. I'm also thankful that I came through the recent round of layoffs.

Quilting update: Here are the nine four-patch quilt blocks in no particular order. I do have a design in mind and I can't wait to see how it looks when done.

Word of the day: OBSTINATE - stubborn, unyielding

Trivia: On this day in 1716, the first lion to be exhibited in America went on display in Boston, MA.

I'm still reading Three Deuces Down by Keith Donnelly
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vices and crowds

It's holiday time in the city and I can tell by the number of tourists on the city streets. Checking out building displays, standing in line to see the Radio City Christmas Show, watching ice skating at Rockefeller Ice Rink and watching their eyes with the wonder that is New York City.

I went book shopping again and came away with Dying For Dinner by Miranda Bliss, The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf, All The Wrong Moves by Merline Lovelace, Eggs Benedict Arnold by Laura Childs, Murder Has a Sweet Tooth by Miranda Bliss and Three Deuces Down by Keith Donnelly. Buying books is my vice and I consider it a good one compared with the other vices I could be doing.

Quilting update: Here is the third four-patch quilt block. Have you noticed how different the groupings are? I lost 2 needles on my floor and with flashlight and a magnifying glass, I still can't find them. Luckily I have extra needles.

Word of the day: INTRANSIGENT - uncompromising; refusing to be reconciled

Trivia: On this day in 1867, Alfred Nobel patented dynamite.

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

Steps taken today: 8,239 (light rain)

I'm reading Three Deuces Down by Keith Donnelly, the first book in the "Donald Youngblood" series.
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decorations and books

I went shopping this morning and bought Divorced, Desperate and Deceived by Christie Craig, Untraceable by Laura Griffin, Cold River by Carla Neggers, Missing in Death by J.D. Robb and Why My Third Husband Will Be A Dog by Lisa Scottoline. An interesting note: the only story I will read in "The Lost" anthology is the one by J.D. Robb.

The holiday decorations are here. Next week I'll take pictures of the sights of the seasons. There's Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor's and of course the Macy's window display.

Quilting update: Here is the second four-patch quilt block.

Word of the day: MAWKISH - sickeningly sentimental

Trivia: On this day in 1947, John Steinbeck's novel The Pearl was published for the first time.

on TV tonight: NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, The Good Wife, Dancing With The Stars

Steps taken today: 10,453

I'm reading Missing in Death by J.D. Robb, from "The Lost", the sixth anthology featuring the "In Death" series.

left on

I can not believe what I did today. I did my usual morning chores before going to work when I noticed that my shirt needed to be ironed. So I ironed my shirt and went about my morning business which included an email check, a blog check, a cellphone check,a Facebook check and a morning news/weather check. It was getting late so I shut down everything and left for work. I get back home and OMG! noticed that I forgot to do one thing..unplug the iron. It's a good thing I have one of those automatic shut-off on my iron or who know what I would have came home to.

Today I was surprised with a gift of sweets. Due to the outcome of the situation that ended last week, my friend sent me a sampler of chocolate malt balls, chocolate pecan turtles, chocolate wafers and lightly salted roasted shelled pistachios. Yum!

Today I played with a Sony reader; it was okay. I can't wait to play with the nook and then I can make a decision.

I found a home for the last quilt that I created. My friend just welcomed a granddaughter, the first girl in her immediate family.

Quilting update: The design work, now begins hand-piecing the squares. Here is the first four-patch quilt block.

Word of the day: FATUOUS - stupid; foolishly self-satisfied

Trivia: On this day in 1889, the first jukebox made its debut in San Francisco, at the Palais Royale Saloon.

on TV tonight: Castle, Two and a Half Men, DWTS

I'm still reading Three Days Dead by Keith Donnelly.
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a quiet Sunday

I didn't do much today except the laundry (started late because security opened up the room 45 minutes late); went food shopping and then went to my power-walking class. The rest of the day was spent reading, listening to Christmas music and preparing meals for the rest of the week.

Quilting update: I think I got a design and it will work with a little improvisation.

Word of the day: PREVARICATE - to equivocate, to obfuscate the truth

Trivia: On this day in 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, TX. Texas Governor John B. Connally was seriously wounded. Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson was inaugurated as the 36th U.S. President.

on TV tonight: 2009 American Music Awards, Cold Case

I'm reading Three Days Dead by Keith Donnelly, the second book in the "Donald Youngblood" series.
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just chillin

To sleep is to dream and it feels better the second day. You don't realize how much stress, whether you try not to have it in your life, does take over.

I did a library run and picked up Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly, True Blue by David Baldacci and Crush by Alan Jacobson.

I finally watched Aliens in the Attic and it was a cute movie. Next up eis Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.

Quilting update: Cut 45 squares (9 of each color) and still have no idea for a design or what the end product will be.

Word of the day: LAMENT - to express sorrow; to grieve

Trivia: On this day in 1620, the Mayflower reached Provincetown, MA. The ship discharged the Pilgrims at Plymouth, MA, on December 26, 1620.

on TV tonight: nothing - will watch recorded shows

I'm reading Murder Takes The Cake by Evelyn David, the second book in the "Sullivan Investigations" mystery series.
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sleep is good

Sleep is a beautiful thing and I did plenty of that last night, waking up at my usual 5am. What a long day. First it was filling out forms. Then attending a meeting. Then off to the doctor where we can't explain why my ankles are swollen. Other than that, the heart is ticking as it should.

They put up the flag to cover while the tree is decorated. If you look closely, you can see the star on the tree.

This is a replica of the star that sits atop the tree.


Quilting update: fabrics ironed. I'm still trying to come up with a design pattern.

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

Trivia: On this day in 1863, U.S. President Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address as he dedicated a national cemetery at the site of the Civil War battlefield in Pennsylvania.

Steps taken today: 11,435

on TV tonight: Bones, The Mentalist

I'm reading Murder Off the Books by Evelyn David, the first book in the "Sullivan Investigations" mystery series.
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the wait is over

The good news is I have a job. whew!

I'm hoping to sleep tonight. I'm hoping no more early morning wake-ups. I'm just glad that I have a job and I don't have to look because the job market is not good.

Quilting update: fabric has been washed.

Word of the day: VEX - to annoy

Trivia: On this day in 1883, the U.S. and Canada adopted a system of standard time zones.

I'm reading Sworn To Silence by Linda Castillo, the first book in the "Kate Burkholder" thriller series.
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it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

...everywhere you go...



Decorations are beginning to be seen as many of the office buildings gear towards the holiday season. First up, the Rockefeller Center tree has arrived, a 76-foot Norway spruce tree from Connecticut. To the left of the tree were discarded branches that I think will be used as fill-ins and to the right were some of the lights that will adorn the tree.

Quilting: I selected the fabric that will be used in my next quilting project. I don't know if it will be a small lap quilt or a wall hanging.

Word of the day: IMPASSE - blocked path; dilemma with no solutions

Trivia: On this day in 1915, Coca-Cola had its prototype for a contoured bottle patented. The bottle made its commercial debut the next year.

I'm reading The 7th Victim by Alan Jacobson, the second book in the "Karen Vail" thriller.
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on broadway

I love Broadway musicals and last night I went to see "Bye, Bye Birdie" and was also trying out a new-to-me restaurant that was located near the theater.

We ordered from the pre-theater prix-fix dinner menu: barley soup or mixed green salad in balsamic vinaigrette; penne with fresh tomato and basil sauce or blue snapper filet with capers and oregano in tomato sauce and broccoli or chicken breast sauteed in white wine and lemon sauce, served with roasted potatoes and dessert was homemade tiramisu. I had the salad and penne and my friends had either the fish or the chicken and they both said their meal was good as was mine. The only thing that marred this experience was the service which was very poor. Sometimes the service can ruin a good meal and in this case, it did.

The musical featuring John Stamos, Gina Gershon and Bill Irwin was fun. After watching a couple of acts, I then remembered the concept of the play and enjoyed the rest of the performance. John was great as was the rest of the cast. Bill Irwin, as always, added comic antics to the performance.

From yesterday:
Word of the day: ABYSS - an extremely deep hole

From yesterday:
Trivia: On this day in 1832, the first streetcar went into operation in New York City, NY. The vehicle was horse-drawn and had room for 30 people.

I finished I Scream, You Scream by Wendy Lyn Watson
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I missed

Guess who was filming a movie in my neighborhood? At Nathan's Famous? While I was at the office? Filming a movie? Less than 10 blocks away? Can you guess?

All is quiet, not much going on. Oh tomorrow I'm going to see the Broadway musical Bye, Bye Birdie featuring John Stamos. I was trying to remember the movie and all I can remember is Ann-Margret and Dick Van Dyke were in it and that I liked the movie. I'm looking forward to seeing it. Also we'll be trying a new-to-me Italian restaurant near the theater.

oh uh, guess what I did?  I created my Christmas playlist on iTunes in preparation for listening to it, possibly tomorrow.

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

Trivia: On this day in 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter to a friend in which he said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."

Steps taken: 9,998

on TV tonight: White Collar, Monk

I'm reading I Scream, You Scream by Wendy Lyn Watson

oh did you guess? It was my favorite Yankees shortstop - Derek Jeter
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one thousand

Can you believe it? This is the 1,000th post that I've written. My first blog was about my doctor's diagnosis of me having weather-induced migraines.

Today was fun. Not. I had no computer access for the entire morning. Luckily once I got my computer, I was able to take care of business.

More angst. Next week is do or die.

Word of the day: BOLSTER - to support; to prop up

Trivia: On this day in 1938, Kate Smith first sang Irving Berlin's "God Bless America" on network radio.

Steps taken: 10,020

on TV tonight: Glee, Criminal Minds, CSI: NY

I'm reading Abandoned by Cody McFadyen, the 4th book in the "Smoky Barrett" thriller series.
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bliss

I did absolutely nothing. No work. No outside work. Nothing and it felt good. The only things I did was do a library run and picked up Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo and The 7th Victim by Alan Jacobson, both new-to-me authors.

Happy 40th Birthday Sesame Street.

Word of the day: CHAUVINIST - someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he or she belongs

Trivia: On this day in 1775, the U.S. Marines were organized under authority of the Continental Congress.

Steps taken: 10,348

on TV tonight: NCIS, NICS: Los Angeles, The Good Wife, Dancing With The Stars, V

I'm reading Blood Game by Iris Johansen, the 9th book in the "Eve Duncan Forensics" series.
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foodie weekend

We ate breakfast at IHOP. I love this place and since there isn't one that I can easily get to here, I always enjoy breakfast there whenever I get the chance.

Later we headed back to the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show to attend the Neely's VIP Memphis Style BBQ Picnic and Book Signing. We arrived early and took a short perusal through the aisles sampling more food before going to the location where the picnic was being held. The BBQ Picnic was a catered lunch hosted by Pat and Gina Neely. Lunch included BBQ chicken and spare ribs covered in the Neely's famous sauces and spices, cole slaw, baked beans and a cookie.



Word of the day: ABSTRUSE - difficult to comprehend

On this day in 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt left for Panama. It was the first foreign trip made by a U.S. president.

Steps taken: will resume tomorrow

on TV tonight: Two and a Half Men, Dancing With The Stars, Castle, Rita Rocks

I'm reading Scone Cold Dead by Kaitlyn Dunnett, the second book in the "Liss MacCrimmon" series.
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oh my aching feet

We've walked up and down nearly all the vendor aisles. We've sampled all the foods that looked of interest to us. I never knew how many varieties of barbecue sauce are out in the marketplace. I never saw so many ways of preparing meat to use for said barbecue sauce. Lots of people. Crowds everywhere. Lines to sample food. Vendors selling their wares. Besides food, there were book vendors, grill vendors (something to please the men in attendance), drink mixers vendors and cooking-related goods. We had a great time on the first day of the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show. Today we will be attending the Neely's Memphis Style BBQ Picnic and Booksigning event.

Word of the day: ERUDITE - learned, scholarly, bookish

On this day in 1793, The Louvre Museum, in Paris, opened to the public for the first time.

I'm reading Bookplate Special by Lorna Barrett, the third book in the "Booktown" mystery series.
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a quiet Friday

This is a joyous day in the city and I'm not able to take part in the festivities due to time constraints.  I had fun living vicariously through those attending.

Word of the Day: PRISTINE - fresh and clean; uncorrupt

Trivia: On this day in 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected to be the sixteenth president of the United States.

I'm still reading Kilt Dead by Kaitlyn Dunnett
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don't worry, be happy

That needs to be my motto for the rest of the month. November 20. The eye twitch is back. Information overload. Resubmission. Reapplication.

On the other hand, The Yankees win! The Yankees win!

Word of the Day: GARGANTUAN - giant, tremendous

Trivia: On this day in 1872, Susan B. Anthony was fined $100 for attempting to vote in the presidential election. She never paid the fine.

Steps taken today: 9,898

on TV tonight: Bones, The Mentalist

I'm reading Kilt Dead by Kaitlyn Dunnett is the first book in the "Liss MacCrimmon" cozy mystery series.
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words

Have you noticed the abundance of new commercials for hospitals? It's not for a career in medicine, but rather a stay at their facility. Do they know something I don't know.

I use to watch all three Law & Order shows. The original show was dropped because all the people that I liked left. L&O: SVU - I got tired of it, but I continued to watch L&O: Criminal Intent. Not anymore. First both lead actors (Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe) will be departing the series after the season two-parter this year and now I just heard that Eric Bogosian will also be leaving (I didn't care for him much). Now, there is no one from the original show. So long L&O shows.

Marianne asked if I'm going to "test drive" the nook...yep!

Word of the Day: GULLIBLE - easily deceived

Trivia: On this day in 1880, James and John Ritty patented the first cash register.

Steps taken today: 10,020

on TV tonight: Game 6 of the MLB World Series, Criminal Minds, CSI: NY

I haven't decided which book to read next.
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rambling

Today several books that I wanted went on sale so off I went to B&N. First they did a little remodeling so I was a bit confused as to where the books were shelved. Of the six books that I wanted, they only had two in stock, Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb and Murder Had a Little Lamb by Cynthia Baxter. On an impulse buy, I picked up Dirty Sexy Knitting by Christie Ridgway.

Later I ordered Bookplate Special by Lorna Barrett, Take Me For A Ride by Karen Kendall, Dial Om for Murder by Diana Killian and The Fashion Hound Murders by Elaine Viets online.

The reason for the remodeling - they built an area to sell their newest gadget - "the nook". They had a mock version, without the insides and functional buttons, for us to touch and get a feel. The store said they'll have some in stock the week of Thanksgiving.

This afternoon during lunch, we went on an excursion to the West Side. I wanted to see what everyone was talking about. Docked in the Hudson River stands the Navy's newest - the assault ship, USS New York, made with 7.5 tons of World Trade Center steel that is part of its bow. Isn't she a majestic ship?

Word of the Day: sommelier - A restaurant employee who orders and maintains the wines sold in the restaurant and usually has extensive knowledge about wine and food pairings.

Trivia: On this day in 1507, Leonardo DaVinci was commissioned by the husband of Lisa Gherardini to paint her. The work is known as the Mona Lisa.

Steps taken today: 109485

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

I'm reading Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb, the 29th book in the "In Death" series.
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pre is a word

I'm running out a book shelf space. It is not prudent at this time to make any big-item purchases right now; of course I don't consider thinking about pre-ordering "the nook" a big-item purchase.

I bought the pre-packaged Caesar Salad mix which includes the salad dressing, cheese and croutons. I didn't plan on using the dressing, cheese and croutons but I just like how they break up the leaves in the package. So what do you think my surprise was? The salad dressing, cheese and croutons were not in its cellophane packaging. Like I said, it didn't matter because I used my low-fat Catalina dressing.

Word of the Day: truculent - Fierce; savage; ferocious; barbarous

Trivia: On this day in 1783, Gen. George Washington issued his farewell address to the Army near Princeton, N.J.

Steps taken today: 9,892

on TV tonight: Two and A Half Men, Dancing With The Stars, Castle, Rita Rocks

I'm reading Up Close And Personal by Carla Cassidy
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