The Journey Of Barack Obama

The American Journey of Barack Obama by The Editors of Life Magazine

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Beautifully illustrated book with some awesome photographs about our new President of the USA. Uplifting writing about the history and journey of this man, things that I did not know, I learned from reading this great book.


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Got New Shoes, New Book, And New Groove!

The weather outside is frightful and not delightful, the picture above is a sign by my house, yes, it is snowing again. This morning got a phone call from my new neighbor Nechole about there being two packages for me that the UPS deliver guy left for me at her house. So, I went and got them, and had a great visit with Nechole and her two year old boy Michael, got home an hour later, and I got a new pair of shoes, and a delightful book about President Barack Obama that I won. YaY, so will be spending some time looking at the photos and reading the tidbits in the book, just like I did when I got an Audrey Hepburn book for Christmas from Monte this year. A good way to nurture myself, reading and learning about some cool people that I adore. The weather is apt to be the same for awhile, snowy, icy, and cold and I am not going to go anywhere. No need to, thank God. My back is better again, not hurting so much. I haven't taken any medications for it, but I've been sleeping, resting, relaxing with some herbal tea and honey, reading, and old Night Gallery reruns. I am excited that NBC has old episodes of Night Gallery and Alfred Hitchcock on their website, fun to watch, and to reminiscence. I will be doing more of that today, happy Christmas Eve and stay safe and warm.

Rosemary

Hopefully, I've saved my Rosemary plant from the cold freeze we've been experiencing in the Northwest this week. I dug her out of the snow grave yesterday morning and I hope the defrosting in the house will keep her fragrantly alive. I love my Rosemary, the smell, the needles, the uses, the looks, and the fact, that she's difficult to start from seed. Nurture, is what I am planning for 2009, I decided to give myself a week head start, because the need for it is so great. I realize that things cannot go on the way they have been, because I will die, maybe not physically, but spiritually. I read an story this morning, called the Seal Skin, Soul Skin, which can be found in Clarissa Estes book "Women Who Run With The Wolves", that story hit home, and made the choice even more clear for me. I am still having the hardest time even getting started, my back started hurting again, now its included my knee, don't know if its the sadness that I feel inside because of some issues that I am having and my body is saying Jamie, take care of yourself or you will suffer the consequences.
The first day seems to be the hardest. I hope my Rosemary will be nurtured, healthy, and blessed, and I wish that for myself and for others in the world. Stay warm.

The Agency

The Agency by Brian Freeman

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars







Strong characters’, language, easy to read. Though Tess seemed to be a selfish woman at the beginning of the book, I believe she started seeing herself in the eyes of the people around her, especially her ex-best friend Saleema and her soon to be ex-boss Cosima. What struck me most about the story, though I never been in any of the awkward, sexual exploits , or even in the publishing world she wove her life in, I still could identify with her candor, her evaluation of her choices, and even with some of her weakness’. The end of the story, happy, still left me wondering what would have happened to her if that big movie star didn’t call about Oliver’s wonderfully written book, that no one seemed to think had potential but Tess Drake, or weather or not that Cosima got her just deserts or even Sally, a so called friend who betrayed her in the end, or if Dorothy settled that claim that was made against her . Hopefully, there will be a second book, where things are bright for Tess, Emma, Oliver, Dorothy, and Saleema, but doomed to hell for Cosima, Sally, and Jack. All together, a great read that I would recommend, especially for people who enjoy fast paced stories about glitz, glamour, and karma.


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Nurture

My goal for 2009 is the path of nurturing myself, body and soul. I was looking at quotes and I found this lovely writing by Maya Angelou, whom I adore, and found my road map. So, am posting it here to remind me, especially during the times when I am feeling let down and am about to give up my sojourn. I need to get some ink for my printer, so I can print this on some beautiful paper and hang it where I can see it, so I can meditate on it.
Yes, the weather is frightful, not delightful in the least to me, though, this time of year never has been that delightful. I am hoping to get some needed things done in my apartment, you know, the normal chores everyone hates and puts off until the last minute. Thinking about adventuring out for a walk to my mail box today, bring my camera along and take some photos of this crystal, white stuff that looks to be sticking around for awhile. I am 200 pages into a new novel called "The Agency" by Ally O'Brien, that is due to come out in February sometime, but lucky for me, I won a advance readers edition on Goodreads. I am enjoying it, and will post something about it another time. Stay warm...






A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own even if she never wants
to or needs to...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her
dreams wants to see her in an hour...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a youth she's content to leave behind....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black
lace bra...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who
lets her cry...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone
else in her family...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a
recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a feeling of control over her destiny...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
HOW TO QUIT A JOB,
BREAK UP WITH A LOVER,
AND CONFRONT A FRIEND WITHOUT RUINING THE FRIENDSHIP...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't
take it personally...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year..."
— Maya Angelou

Six

Got this from a fellow bloggers blog, am not going to tag anyone, because I don't like obligating anyone to do something they probably don't wanna do. Here are the rule:

How to play (it's really easy): Go to your photo archives or where ever you store your images; select the sixth file, open it and post the sixth picture contained there, with the story behind it. And, finally tag six friends to play (I'm not doing that last bit, but if you play, let me know so I will be sure to stop by and check out your photo story).







My friend Monte's a drummer, this is his kit. He has them set up in his dinning room, near the patio door. I love the drums, wanted to play them when I was a young girl. So, while he was in the bathroom, I snapped this photo of them. I have several shots of him actually playing them...

Winter Wonderland

Icy Snow Angel

No, that's not glitter on my fairy angel, but ice. Yes, the snow that fell yesterday, now has become ice on top. The pavement at my apartment became an ice ring over night. I ventured outside to snap a few photos, but barely could stand the cold. Yes, me, the great human thermastat, finally found where she can become cold. 19 degress is my limit. lol I took more, but saving those for later today, I want to drink my hot cup of tea, read in my book, and get warm again... A great day to stay in and read...

Chills

No, not from the bizzare snowy weather we are having, but from a drummer named Neal Peart from the band Rush. I love drums, watching drummers, especially good ones. My friend Monte is one of these, a fabulous drummer. Anyway, here is a great youtube video... enjoy

Sunday Serenity

Am in a nostalgic mood. Mama Cass Elliott was my favorite when I was a young girl of thirteen. I enjoy this song a lot, many actually. So, I picked two to post on my Sunday Serenity...

Winter Wonderland

I ventured out this morning, mainly so I could go get some soy milk for my cereal. The storm was suppose to hit on Wednesday, but decided that Friday night was a good time. I do not find enjoyment in this kind of weather, not even as a child. The reason why, because I did not like staying couped up in the house with my mom, or being bundled up in too hot clothes. So today, I went out in the snow, drove my car to the grocery store, bought my supplies, chatted with the clerk, slipped on the ice while making a turn in my car, but am thankful that I do know how to drive in this weather, and got my mail, and then laughed my butt off when I saw a squirrel digging for his winter stash and then slip, slide across the roadway to his destination. The last week's been a vicious circle, because I realized that someone that I considered a good friend in my life, wasn't at all. She's been a friend since my teenage years, which is the hardest one to get over. When you realize that the only reason they call you is when you can do something for them, then your eyes open up and you start seeing the truth of things. Realizing the delusion that you've been under for many years, is wrong. The problem is that I still care about her and her children, that's not going to stop. Last year my sister/friend Joy and I started a creative change project together, encouraging each other, developing traits that we want for ourselves. I wanted more balance, never thought it would lead to the pruining that it has done in my life. That's where I am at, rebuilding a foundation for myself and the 2009 will be dedicated to self nurture... The new year is two weeks away and hard to believe that 2008 is almost gone. Here are some photos that I took on my adventure this morning, the snow's at three inches already and they are saying close to six, who knows... I am going to read my new book "The Agency" by Ally O'brien, that I won over on goodreads today, and drink some hot tea. Stay warm...

Snow, Alfred Hitchcock, and Other Musings!

Been watching Alfred Hitchcock tv shows today, I love them so much, though they were on before I was born. It's a stormy day and am sick with some kind of cold. I feel all stuffed up, thank goodness that's all it is. Last weekend, my back went out on me, and now this cold. It's always something, I believe Gilda Radner always said. I happen to agree with this statement.
I am thankful that my mom's home from California after the ordeal she's been thru. I am gratful that the stroke wasn't what it could have been, that her hip is healing, that's she's home, and that she will heal, will take some time. Her stroke brought back memories for me, of Rick. Rick had so many strokes, TIA ones, and full blown ones, and he lost his speech for a time, his hearing, eyesight, and the use of his body on one side. I am fearful of seeing my mom, because she's a vibrant 76 year old woman, almost 77, in 2 weeks she'll have a birthday, and from what Carri and Joy have said its disconcertating to see her in this was, probably for me too. Though, I like to think of myself as a tough woman, I still have feelings that go all over the place.

Happy Anniversary Joy & Ed

Am scaning my old photos onto my computer, I want to make a DVD with music for myself. Bringing up memories and also a good way for me to share with Joy...




Joy and Ed December 2nd, 1978... Beautiful bride and handsome groom.





Joy, Rob, and Joshua roller skating.




Rob, Carri, and Joy, my highschool graduation party.





For my sister Carris' wedding, wasn't she beautiful.




My first time at the beach. I was going in for my surgery the next day, so we took a trip to the beach, with my mom, dad, Carri, Joy, and Ed. Dad wasn't in the picture.



The family for Levi (nephew) first birthday, can you believe he's a freshman...Time does fly by.





The family getting readto leave or maybe going in, have no idea...



Ed, Joy, Mom, and Dad at the beach.



Joy, Sarah, and I



Joy and her cat Kinah.