Recent Reading

I've had a bit more time to read lately.

Just finished the new Star Trek Enteprise book THE GOOD THAT MEN DO by Andy Mangels and Michael A. Martin. It was excellent and goes a long way toward reconciling the way the series ended with what fans want to see happen.

I've had several books on hold at the library that finally came in for me. Deborah Crombie's newest mystery WATER LIKE A STONE was a great read. M.C. Beaton's new Hamish MacBeth mystery DEATH OF A MAID though was a disappointment. This is the first time I've been disappointed in one of her Hamish books, which are set in a small Scottish Village populated by some really great characters. The characters as usual made the story but the mystery itself wasn't so great.

I am hoping to finish the latest book I'm reading tonight, MR. DARCY'S DIARY by Amanda Grange. It's a lite read but a very pleasant one and I highly recommend it any Jane Austin fans.

I had started the first MIRROR UNIVERSE volume but Sam wanted to read it so next up I'll get back to that and hopefully get a taste of the new Corps of Engineers series. This was formerly Starfleet Corps of Engineers but after over 60 stories they've made a few cast changes and started a new. I loved SCE so have high hopes for COE.

Two Weeks And Counting

My sister Ann is coming for a short visit, she will arrive two weeks from today.

The boys will be on spring break and a lot of her visit will revolve around the annual Grand Slam Sci-Fi Summit Convention. Ann's a big Harry Potter fan and a few of the actors are among the guests.

In addition we plan to take her to Whimsical Alley down in Santa Monica which is a recreation of Diagon Alley from the HP novels and a fun place to hang out with cool shops to browse.

At some point we'll stop in to see Steph over at Oxy. Ann hasn't seen the college yet and Stephanie is anxious to show her around.

Also hoping to take her on a tour of Warner Brothers studio and other fun touristy things.

One thing Adam adamately insists on is that we take Ann to experience an In-and-Out burger. Yummy!

Stephanie's Blog

As part of her job in admissions at Occidental College Stephanie and the other students that work in the office are now keeping Blogs.

Hers is at http://oxysbundy.livejournal.com/ if you want to check it out. She updates it a lot more frequently than I do mine.

Lots to Do

I had today off after working 28 hours in the last four days.

I spent most the day getting caught up on laundry. It only took six loads but I did it. It's my own fault, I need to teach the boys to do their own. If I ever get the time.

In between the laundry and cleaning and carpool pickup, I got all the paperwork completed and organized for the evening test session. I dropped Andrew off at work in Encino on the way to Burbank. The session came off without a hitch I am relieved to say.

I'm off until Friday and the kids will have me running in the afternoons but I'll have the mornings to catch up on club stuff and finally the opportunity to watch the World Figure Skating Championships. I recorded it but haven't yet had a chance to watch it.

Down Time

It's back to work tomorrow. But I got a lot done these past three days and more important, I'm feelling rested.

Tuesday I took Sam down to UCLA for his bronchoscopy. It didn't go well or lead to any new results. The doctor said the blood vessels are so engorged it won't take much to start hemopsis again. We were down in West LA most of the day and went I got Sam home and settled in I had to run Andrew to work. He got off two hours later so we were home by 7pm.

Yesterday I ran errands. Adam broke his glasses so I dropped them off at the Optomotrist, picked up some things Sam needed, including his prescriptions, etc. I had carpool pickup and then in the early evening Andrew had batting practice.

Sams not doing too bad. Having the oxygen at home has definately helped. He's sleeping better which means he doesn't sleep as much during the day. He stays busy doing 1000 piece puzzles, playing computer games, and watching TV. I just got him a new stack of books so he's take care of for reading material for a bit.

Today I had to run around and find the things Andrew needed for a class project. Finding the right sized paper was a pain. Other than that I just did did the grocery shopping and some projects around the house and got all the laundry done.

After school today Andrew had a 5pm game. It was beautiful out and they won 8 to 1. Andrew got walked twice but he got to score each time. Now I'm going to sit back and watch UGLY BETTY.

Busy Weekend

The weekend went by quickly.

Yesterday Andrew went to work in the morning then at 2 Daniel, Josh and my father-in-law Mel all gathered at our house to start filming their next class project. Mel is playing a gangster for them, or being cameraman when he is not needed.

At one point they drove over to a local park to shoot some scenes and Steph and Adam just hung out at home with Sam.

I was at Janice's all afternoon to put the troop packages together--we did 14--yeah!

And we had our little Patty's Day gathering which was fun. I won several of the blarney prizes including a crazy jester hat that will be perfect for the Ren Faire next month.

I got home about 7pm and they were still going so I just retreated to my room and had an early night.

Today I worked 9-1:30 then I ran home to pick up the dog as there was another open house, and Dax and I went to join Sam and Adam at Andrew's game in Chatsworth. The Pirates against the Phillies. Andrew plays first base for the Pirates. Steph had left about 11am to head back to school.

It was a good game but the Phillies got ahead two runs and that's the way it ended. It was a beautiful day though and very peaceful watching the game from our lawn chairs.

We got home just before 5pm and after starting the laundry and called by parents before I scronged up some left overs for dinner with a salad. Now everything is done before I go to work in the morning and I can relax and watch one of my favorite shows ROME.

WICKED

Stephanie and I went to see WICKED last night at the Pantages Theater down in Hollywood. Steph had never been to that particular theater before. I'd been there once with my Mom to see Riverdance.

The theater is gorgeous. Several years ago it was restored to it's former glory and the sound quality is incredible. Mom and I were in the balcony but Steph and I sat in the orchestra level, center section about 18 rows back.

The production was fantastic. Everything! The quality of the performances, the staging, the costumes it was a really fun night. It was the same cast as on Broadway except for 3 minor characters. We ate at a little Italian Restuarant just up Hollywood Blvd two blocks before taking our seats.

Earlier in the day we had gone shopping. Andrew had baseball practice and Adam a ton of homework.

I worked all day today and admit I'm not used to being on my feet for that long yet. But I'm enjoying it and learning more every day. The customers are delightful to interact with, and the staff is really nice. I feel comfortable there, most of the stff are geeks too.

Tomorrow the Angeles gets together for our St. Patrick's Day Party but first we're putting together our spring mailing of packages for the troops in Iraq. We're aiming for 20 packages this time.

Janice is having us over to her house in Palos Verdes, for the bash--at least it will be cool there.

Red Shirts Attacked by Alien Foe!

Go see this horrible sight at:

http://playtrek.scifislacker.com/gallery/v/playtrekstuff/red-shirts/

or view it in order at:

http://playtrek.scifislacker.com/gallery/v/playtrekstuff/red-shirts/100_4866.JPG.html

Cat lovers will especially enjoy this one-lol!

Life

I worked Sunday from 9:30 to 1:30 and again Monday 9:30 to 2pm. I've got the morning routine down for opening and am already feeling comfortable at Borders.

Sunday we also had an open house from 1 to 4pm. The boys were over at friends and Sam went down to his office to pick up some of his things so I rushed home to rescue the dog from the garage and then I took her down to the lake where she can get good long runs. It was a beautiful day and Dax found several squirrels to chase up trees.

Saturday night we had tickets to see the finals of the Mountain West Basketball Tournament. Adam really enjoyed it and I have to admit that I did too. A lot more than I expected to. College games are a lot more fun and interesting than Pro games. It was Long Beach State against Cal Poly. Long Beach won. They definately had the most ardent fans that's for sure and they outplayed Poly in the second half.

Earlier Saturday Andrew played his first game of the spring season. He's a Pirate and playing first base. He hit a double and a single for an RBI but they lost by one run. But there are 23 more games to play so the fun has just begun.

Today I ran around and did the errands. It was my pick-up for car pool and then Andrew needed dropped off at work to ump an afternoon game. I got a lot accomplished though and even managed to snatch a half hour to read this afternoon. After dinner the boys wanted to watch "Casino Royale" which I promised I'd get on DVD while I was out today.

Tomorrow I'm going to get my hair trimmed and after school I have to take Andrew to get a white dress shirt for school and other errands.

I'm really looking forward to Stephanie arriving home Thursday. She and I are going to see WICKED Thursday night. I could use a girls night out and we had no time alone the last weekend she was home.

Steph is on her spring break and right after her last mid-term she drove up to Berkley to spend the first few days visiting her boyfriend Jordon. I know she's got to head back to Oxy on Sunday afternoon.

I don't work again until Friday when I'm there all day until 6pm.

Learning the Ropes

I had my orientation at Borders Books Wednesday and yesterday was my first day off training. Tomorrow I learn the inventory control system and then Sunday they cut me loose and I work my first shift.

I'm going to be in book heaven!

Digging Out after Storm #1

Of course storm number two blew in that night bringing not only more snow, but blowing back what had been cleared. So the kids got to do it all again :)

Family Fun

It only took me two months but I finally got around to downloading all the pictures on my camera. Tonight I edited them and I thought I post a few from our last trip to Colorado to see my folks. The lady in pink is my big sister Ann and of course my Mom and Dad. Ann is always laughing.

Looky Loos

There have been a lot of people looking at the house this week and three viewings already scheduled for this weekend. Hope that's a good sign and we get an offer soon. Not only do I want to get this behind us but there is the having to keep the place clean and tidy all the time factor.

Otherwise a fairly quite week. Later today we're going to go look at a couple of used cars for Andrew.