Sniffle, sniffle...

Those are sniffs of stuffiness, not sadness. Thank you for your concern, though!

I thought that perhaps my brush will illness had passed away uncharacteristically. Sadly, it was just lying in wait, waiting to pounce when I least suspected it. Grrr. The way the progression usually works - a three day affair - is sore throat, stuffy nose, sore throat, all better. And none of them too heinous. This time, sore throat - nothing - stuffy nose this morning - and we shall see what happens next. The excitement is almost too much for me!

I dreamt that I published a blog post without proofing it and certainly without labels! Eeeek! That was a nightmare and made me sit right up in bed!

Cindi posted a link to a blog post by Dan - Single Dad Laughing - about loving without judging. What a wonderful world it would be if we all embraced that thought at least part of the time. Sigh.  By the way, until I had seen that link, I had never heard of Single Dad Laughing. I don't know that I will ever read his blog again, but the one post was enjoyable.

Moving on - yesterday I stayed in all day. And I managed to actually study some Spanish. Not a lot, but a little - enough to make me feel like I did some studying. I am sooooo ready for this class to be over. Not because it was horrible, just because I am ready to be a vegetable for a while. Till the Second of January. Then, by golly, I am going to get down to brass tacks and tackle some writing for the future! Posterity, here I come!

Sorry, drifted off topic again. Dinner was left overs with a little pork thrown in. Tonight, different left overs, presented differently. What else about yesterday - oh, made a new connection on Daily Challenge - to another women from Romania! I wonder if that site is popular in that country. Weird if it were...now I am even more excited to learn some Romanian! :)

Ramble, ramble, ramble. Nothing really to say today - just waiting for something exciting. Today, at least, is beer at the Beef and Brew (or somewhere else) day! Yippee! Oh, and I need to mail Cate some copies of Diary of a Plate Addict. And put in an order for our Christmas dinner of Peking Duck!

Speaking of the book - buy copies! Doing so is a good Christmas present for me - and who knows, you might actually enjoy it. I'm just sayin'...

Picture from December 13, 2011:

Chuck is often the wacky one! :)

Absolutely Zero Interest

Yup, you read that correctly, I have absolutely zero interest in studying for my Spanish final exam on Friday at 1:30 pm. Zero, zip, nada, rien, nichevo, niente etc. I did two verbs yesterday and that was all the energy I could must for that task. I did print out lots of verb conjugation sheets, though. Yay me! Sigh. I guess I will do more today. Maybe. We shall see, of course.

Not a lot happening on the home front yesterday. I did that little teeny bit of studying and then did nothing the rest of the day.

Oh, I did run a couple of errands. One was to the grocery store to get dinner - a store bought chicken, some spinach and some mushrooms.

The other was to the pharmacy, where I had a lovely chat with my favorite pharmacist (whose name is sadly no Farah or Felicia). Actually I am happy her name isn't either of those - even though it would be alliterative. Anyway, as some of you know, I have been curious about the link between intense dreams and Zoloft. She confirmed what Anonymous and Summerhill have mentioned - that there is a link. She suggested to reduce the dosage - with mom's doctor's approval. I like her - she thinks people are generally over medicated too! I also found out that all Aricept does is stimulate cognition. Sigh. I was hoping that it was a wonder drug, reversing Alzheimer's entirely. Ok, I didn't really think that was the case - I just didn't know. The last drug we spoke about was mom's high blood pressure medicine. Again, I really don't know anything about drugs - hey, maybe I should go to pharmacy school! Or maybe not. I just have a feeling that mom's blood pressure is not as high as it was - since she seems to be under a lot less stress than when she was living alone. Fewer worries, one hopes. Now I just need to think of other excuses to have chats with my fabulous pharmacist... :)

Lastly, I got our pistachio ice cream. Mom gets this on the off chance that Karl will come to visit - and because she can eat it while waiting for him to come. Our local Friendly's actually gave me a call when the ice cream came in. 12 cartons. They don't think it will sell. We will see.

I made coleslaw yesterday - one of the best batches to date! Still doing it by feel, no measuring, but it seems to be getting a little more consistent. It tries to ride the crest of three main flavoring ingredients - sugar, apple cider vinegar and mayonnaise. And this time I added just a whisper of cayenne pepper. Yippee!

Today is another day. Perhaps I will get more Spanish done. Perhaps mom and I will go to a movie - there are three that I think would be fun. Perhaps we will do nothing! I like the word "perhaps."

Photo from December 12, 2011:

Yay coleslaw!

Were we ever really gone?

It sure doesn't feel like it. It feels like we have always been here and will always be here. Can't decide if that is good or bad. Or just is.

Back to Spanish! I know you have all been missing my musings on my Spanish class. Yippee! Well, classes are over and all that remains is the exam on Friday (at 1:30 for those of you keeping track). I am planning on doing some studying every day for the next few days. Starting with today. I am going to do verb conjugation on 10-15 verbs - mostly the irregular ones. Then tomorrow or later today, depending on when I get the verb conjugations accomplished, take the "repaso" that Carlos provided and see how I do. Oh, I got a 92 on the oral presentation. Carlos gave us a 100% and then decided that we weren't that good. I am sad that I didn't get to see the other students' presentations. Oh well.

And that is my big plan for the day. Oh, and go and get mail from the post office. And maybe go ask the pharmacist if she knows of something to substitute for the Zoloft. I don't want mom to become depressed, but it really seems like the Zoloft was helping her to have really vivid and unhappy dreams. And that isn't good.

And it is back to making dinner plans night after night. Sigh. Not that I mind cooking - but it is such a chore to try and figure out what the meals are going to be day after day.

Cate had a great idea, vis a vis Diary of a Plate Addict - she wants me to send her some copies so that she can try and sell them! I am game! Heck, why not. She can't do any worse than I did. And she might even do better. Sometime this week, I need to get my at together and get a google ad up and working. I am at 939 to sell and holding with no movement envisioned until late January at the earliest.

Yup, back to boring blogging for the rest of the year. Yippee.

Photos from December 11, 2011:

Oral presentation score!

First dinner back at home - shrimp eggrolls, broccoli and rice!

Train Tracks, Sore Throat and a driving day

Had a couple of weird dreams last night - one of them was that train tracks had been put in right in front of the house here in Geneva - maybe a foot in front of the front door steps! Eeek! Another was working as a server somewhere and being fired because I asked why an entree had taken so long to come out. Another had me thinking that my teeny sore throat was actually strep throat! I am pretty sure it isn't, since it is almost gone this morning. All in all, though, I didn't sleep straight through from 10 last night until 10 this morning. Stuck together, though, I guess I got enough sleep. :)

Yesterday was a travel day. Lots of driving! Mom was up and at it early, which is great. We managed to hit the road by 9 in the morning. Huzzah! Very little in the way of slow downs - a couple here and there - one, of course, near Washington, but we never had to actually stop and start. Another because of a tire in the road. Our first pitstop was in Virginia at my favorite stopping place - exit 104. There was a very sweet cashier/worker sort named Madison who helped me to get my chicken soup act together. I had this thought that some chicken soup would be great for my throat. They had a can of Campbell's condensed chicken noodle - I added some hot water from their coffee maker and heated the mess up in one of the microwaves. Turned out pretty well. I drank it from a coffee sippy cup until I got down to the noodles - and ate those with the thoughtfully provided spork that Madison gave me.

Next pitstop, somewhere in Pennsylvania. I had decided to try to go back the way that we came - which worked out pretty well - it took very little effort in fact to follow Route 15N. Finding 270 was easy too - and those were the big challenges. Anyway, we stopped somewhere between Lewisburg and Mansfield or Williamsport or something. Sadly, the bathroom was basically a modern outhouse and not at all pleasant. :(

Since the timing was going to work out, I chose to actually stop for dinner on the way home - rather than getting home and then finding something to eat. Crooked Rooster in Watkins Glen seemed like a good destination. We got there about 7 and the place was deserted! Not even crickets chirping! Apparently it had been like that all night. So the staff was excited to see us. We had a great server. I'd like to note how much more pleasant a meal is, at least for me, when my server is, as Lindsay was, attentive, attractive, intelligent and fun! She and her husband moved from the Buffalo area a while back. Oddly enough, I had seen her once before, at the Finger Lakes Craft Brewing event last summer. Her picture might even be on the blog (it isn't) - I know it is on my Facebook page somewhere. Anyway, we ordered mussels and a hamburger to share, as well as a flight of beer - 9 tasters. I had forgotten how expensive their tasters were! Oh well - still enjoyable beer. I think Seth, the brewer, does a great job with darker beers especially. We had Cajun mussels and mom enjoyed them - I think I got to eat four! I would say that mom was as happy as a clam... :)

Then a short hop back up to Geneva (not even 45 minutes, Lindsay...) and after unloading the car, straight into bed for me. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow!

I am going to post a week in review (mostly about book selling frustrations and success etc.) in my writing blog - I know - aren't you thrilled?

Photos from December 10, 2011:

Where we stopped in Virginia

Me and my flight - the pumpkin was good too!

Mom had already had one mussel!

Lindsay!

To the point

Here it is, late on Saturday, I have been driving for most of the past 12 hours. And I can barely remember what happened yesterday, dear blogophiles - but for you, I am going to try.

Friday was another good day. Got up and got out, getting mom another coffee at Waffle (Awful) house. From there, we only had lunch to achieve before heading back to the hotel. Well, bank and lunch. So we headed to Six Forks. There is a cool, round, First Citizen's branch there. Threw some money at them and went to look for a place to eat. I wasn't exactly sure what I was in the mood for, but we ended up at McCallister's Deli. Parking was not easy, but mom was a trooper and walked the block to the restaurant without complaint. We shared some broccoli cheddar soup and a reuben! Yum to both!

Next stop, Target to pick up things that mom needed - unmentionables, dizzy pills, tissues. Got 'em, got out and got back to the hotel pretty quickly. Our room was made up and mom made for the bed quickly, snoring before she hit the pillow. I guess she was tired! I played for a bit and then realized that it was time to head to the Saucer. Mom opted to stay home.

Got to the Saucer and had a great time. Eric, Nancy and Patrick came and joined me. But not until after Will(ard) had bought two copies of Diary of a Plate Addict - one for him and one for his daughter who was also a die hard Saucer fan - but she has moved away. :( A few other people bought copies and there was a teeny run on copies of Bar Dreams! Overall, I think I sold a good many copies of both books! Hurrah! And had pleasant company the whole night. Adam came over and hung out - Kim and Russell said hi! And Kevin Key came and chatted for a long while! All in all, yay!

Brian, the ex-bartender, new manager, helped me carry boxes of books out to the car. Too many boxes left! Grr and poop. Oh well - more on this tomorrow in my week in review blog post. Next, off to fuel the car and pick mom up so that we could head to Cate's workplace Christmas Party. I have been to three or four of these, I believe. Last year, I took my Grinch costume and performed a little bit. This year, I just ate and relaxed. It was nice chatting with the good people - especially Lori and Dr. Doshi and Charlie. The food was yummy, and Cate cut the Diary of a Plate Addict cake! Turned out to be as good tasting as it was good looking! Mom and I probably stayed longer than was necessary - but we had a nice time. Headed back to the hotel and almost straight to bed for me!

Down and dirty! Yippee!

Photos from December 9, 2011:

The cool First Citizen's branch!

Lunch at McAllister's Deli at Six Forks

DPA Cake!

Throbbingly Thursday

This title seems repetitive. Hmm - Thoroughly Thursday - well, if I change it, it won't seem repetitive? Not feeling creative just yet - we will see what the morning brings. (Changed the title)

Summerhill asked in a comment if Diary of a Plate Addict is available on Amazon. Yes, yes it is. But it is full cost on Amazon, though it is a good place to look at the book more in depth - it has inner pages and other things. The best place to get the book is from Renotto Press - because if you order it from there I can actually sign the book and personalize it for you. As with most things, though, the choice is yours! Yay choice!

Thursday dawned blue and cool here in Raleigh, NC. I had a chat with the owner/manager (not sure how Econolodges work - but I think it is sort of a franchise deal) about my interaction with one of his staff members. I am still thinking of filing a formal complaint about the guy. Wow - really pushed my buttons. Maybe we are that much alike? Nope. Or at least I hope not. Especially when I am in a service sort of position. Great way to start the day!

My plan was simple - have as relaxing a day as possible. We have been going pretty much non-stop since we got here and I think it is taking a toll on mom. She is, as I am, for different reasons I am sure, eager to get back to Geneva. For her it will be the comfort of being in her house and not living out of a suitcase, for me it is seeing, er, people. It will be a long, uphill drive tomorrow (for some reason, driving North "feels" like going uphill) but it will also feel a bit like going down hill. Weird. All this is to say, I didn't really want to do a lot yesterday. So, we didn't.

Got mom some coffee at Awful (Waffle) House - at least the coffee isn't too bad apparently. Mom was tired and wanted to sleep in the car, so I left her to sip her coffee while I checked out GPS devices at Best Buy at Glenwood. I am learning more! Tom Tom is still ranking high - though one of the Garmin's that I saw I liked a good bit too. One of the features I am looking for is the ability to see what the next few actions are going to be - so I can see if the route is one that I like or so that I can be better prepared. There was a very nice young woman there who took time to show me how to work the Garmin - she was as helpful as the in store guy James. Thank you Jennifer! Have fun with your toaster! :)

I went and got mom out of the car and we went to Barnes and Noble. Mom wanted to leave with five or six books, but I managed to talk her down. It was tough, cause if I had had the money, I would have bought five or six of their special edition collections that are now on sale - Collected Twain, Collected Verne, Poe, Austen all sorts of great things. Sigh. She also wanted the latest Scarpetta Novel - but I think we are going to get it on Amazon. We shall see.

Next stop, lunch - at McCormick and Schmick's - for those of you who don't know, this is a higher end Seafood chain that started in Seattle, I believe. Nope - I just looked at the Website - Portland Oregon was where they began. Well, the first place I saw one was in Seattle, for what that is worth...I figured mom deserved a treat - we had mussels as an appetizer - not awesome but good. She had a cup of soup and I had a huge cobb salad! I could only eat about half without it starting to come out of my ears! Really yummy and cool looking.

To keep us having a relaxing day, we headed back to the hotel for a couple hours of rest and relaxation before another brutal stint at the Saucer. I hope mom got some napping accomplished - I played a bit.

Then, off to the Saucer. We were trying something different last night - putting me at a table up near the front of the bar. I was hoping for lots and lots of people to come up and talk to me. Sadly, that wasn't the case. But despite the lack of foot traffic, it was a good day of sales! The most important one was a sale to Stephanie - a home office/trainer manager sort. I have met Stephanie a few times over the years. She remembers me while it takes me a minute to figure out who she is. First thing she did was buy a copy of the book. Then, throughout the night, she promoted it - that didn't lead to any sales that I am aware of - but she did listen to my tale of lack of corporate support/woe and said she would see what that was all about when she got back to Texas. She liked the book and thought, as I do, that it would do well in their merchandise cases. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a shift in corporate policy...anything is possible. A few random people bought copies - one woman, Wendi, bought a copy for her husband - who is plate number 36 at the Raleigh Saucer and was overjoyed to do so! How great is that? Another guy bought one just because he chatted a bit with me. And the Saucer is going to buy some for the managers. Yippee!

Poor mom had to sit at my table all by herself. Unlike me (well, at least now) she felt uncomfortable sitting there with all the crowds eying her empty seats. I think a few people went and talked with her, but still, it wasn't optimal for her.

I saw a couple of friends - Grace came again with her "friend" Richard. Emily also came by with a friend from some state called Pennsylvania (never heard of it). And I saw lots of acquaintances - none of whom bought books. Whatever. Their loss.

We finally got out of there after I took a last minute credit card sale - yay paypal! - and headed to Eric and Nancy's for dinner. It was so kind of them to offer. It made a tremendous change from eating out all the time. Nancy's lasagna was yummy! And we got to talk without shouting! Their house is all decorated for Christmas and looks great! I hope that our tree looks 1/8th as nice!

Then, back home and sleep! Yippee!

Last day in Raleigh. I am planning a major, major culling of Facebook "friends" after this visit to Raleigh and I can hardly wait.

Photos from December 8, 2011: (Look anonymous, more pictures of me - aren't you thrilled?!)

At McCormick and Schmick's

Yummy lobster Cobb Salad!

All ready to tell people about the book!

Me and Grace!

Nancy's delicious lasagna!

Me, mom, Christmas Tree, Nancy and Eric - this could be a Christmas Card picture! :)

Wild Wednesday

We are just rocking Raleigh! Wild times abound here with my mom. Sadly, I haven't been able to convince her to go to a museum - too much walking - so, we just went to see another movie. Mom says that she should only go to see animated movies now, cause she doesn't understand other movies. We went to see Crazy, Stupid Love. I am a sucker for romantic comedies. This one was well scripted an mostly well acted. Sadly, Steven Carrell did some of his usual schtick that didn't always work for me in this movie. Overall, I liked it a good deal. Not one I would own, but happy to have seen it. And for only $2!

Next we went searching for food. I was hoping to have a sushi lunch, but did not stumble upon an open sushi place. They all seemed to close between lunch and dinner, well at least the two that I sought out and the one I passed (Tsune, Sushi Blues and Sushi Bistro(?)) We ended up at Bada Bing's pizza - yay! I love pizza. And there's was a pretty good recreation of NY Style thin crust street pizza! Yay! I even had a second piece. Woo hoo!

We headed to the Saucer for the 4th day in a row - only 2 more to go - yippee!! - and parked in one of my favorite locations - a little farther than the last couple of times, but that is ok. Got mom in and settled, and Jeff actually stapled a garland up so that mom would not have it at the back of her head! Yay Jeff! He thought that Wednesday was not a good day for a table up front. But he will let me be up there Thursday! Yippee! I got mom settled and got my books and prepared for another lackluster sales day. I did have the visits of some friends to look forward to...

I am torn about having to drag mom out to the Saucer everyday. She professes to be ok about it, but I think it must be tough on her. The place does get loud by the time we leave. And she isn't always the center of attention. She enjoys being the center of attention. And the way the tables are situated, it is hard to incorporate her when someone wants to talk with me. So I feel bad. I would feel worse, though, leaving her in the motel room by herself. Sigh. I don't know what is going to happen on future trips. Or if there will even be future trips. I will need to sit with Jeff and see what advice and thoughts he has for the future selling of Diary of a Plate Addict. He knows his fellow managers better than I do and how best to approach them and what efforts they might be capable of supporting. Anyway...

Two friends did show up - Grace and April - both of whom I have know for a bunch of years. The both seemed to be doing well, no major traumas or dramas going on in their lives. It was great to get a chance to hang out with them. Cate showed up and had her party for her second plate (she is working towards her fourth plate). And brought me the most amazing surprise. A cake with Diary of a Plate Addict on it - pictures below. I hope she had fun at her party - we didn't really get to hang out much. She had a good turnout. Mom and I bailed from the Saucer at about 8 and went in search of Sushi - finding Sushi blues was indeed open! We got my favorite - a spider roll - and a new favorite - the Jimmy V - which was a spider roll with crab on the outside too! Thank you Russell and Kim for suggesting it! We also had some miso soup. Yum city!

All in all, quite a day. And 7 copies of Diary of a Plate Addict were sold - most to people who I didn't actually know! How cool is that?!

Photos from December 7, 2011:

Mom and me - mom looking thrilled beyond compare

The awesome cake Cate got for me!

Me with my books and the cake!

Cate looking up at her about to be revealed plate - and the blonde woman who actually bought a copy of the book (Sue)

Our rolls from Sushi Blues - Yum!