Happy New Year from Starbucks

This is my second time to this Starbucks, and my second post from this Starbucks.  Coincidence? I think not...I expected to connect from the library today but as it turns out, the library is closed on Sunday.  When I was here in October, I sat in the parking lot and composed my post from there, but today Starbucks seemed a better idea.

The holidays were very quiet here in Colorado Springs, which is easy to understand since I only know one person in the entire area (Aunt Joan/Jean) and she has neither television nor Internet.  We used the time to get to know each other a little better and eat whatever didn't eat us first.  Actually, I've lost a few pounds since being here (yeah) I just liked the sound of that sentence.

It snowed a couple of days ago.  It is rather ironic that two days after unloading the van for the first time since May, the van needed ballast to make it through the snow.  Oh well, I guess a pair or two of snow tires are in my future.  I don't know how I'm going to explain it to my budget...it will work itself out I suppose.

It is hard to overstate how happy I am that it is a  new year.  2010 was the most difficult year I've had since 1979, and I haven't decided which of them was worse, but I am happy to have survived once again.

Colorado Springs is agreeing with my foot (feet) which is not to say that I'm all better, just that on the whole it is more tolerable.  Compared to Los Angeles, I am half as miserable :) and even though it is the reason I selected this city, it still surprises me a bit.  I find it very easy to adapt to being less miserable...

Coco and Fluffy are extremely happy here, from the moment I pulled into Aunt Joan/Jean's driveway.  They took to her immediately, which is perfect since she took to them as well. All in all, we have a mutual admiration society going.  I'd call that a very good start to the new year!

Speaking of which, I'd like to wish you all a very Happy, Health and Prosperous New Year!  I'll post again, probably from my regular table at Starbucks (can you call it your regular table if you've only been there twice?) next Sunday.  I'll let you know when I figure out how to get the Internet into the house.

Merry Christmas from Starbucks :D

Well, Christmas is here!  I am ensconced in Colorado Springs, and for the first time since May, my van is unpacked and I couldn't be happier about it.  Aunt Joan/Jean is so happy to have me for Christmas that we're making a Thanksgiving dinner, how good do I feel about that? Tremendous!  Between the two of us, we'll be lucky to eat before ten pm, but we'll enjoy the process as well as making the memory of my first Colorado Christmas.  It's not white, but it's alright :D

It is easy to miss so much this holiday.  I have never lived in a new city for Christmas before.  I welcome the new experience, but my thoughts certainly wander to many cities and people that I wish I could give a Christmas hug to....probably you are among those I miss.  I came to Starbucks because they have Internet access and I wanted to post this among other things.  Should I admit that I played Bejeweled Quest before I wrote my post?  Probably not...

It's been really sweet listening to the girls chat with their regulars...it feels very familiar even though I don't know any one of them.  I'm glad I came because at this moment, I feel more  Christmas than I have this whole season, and let's face it, it's now or never so I am glad that I made the effort to go out.

Well, they are about to close, so I will as well.  I wish you a very Merry Christmas.  I will spend the day counting my blessings and expect that you are among them!  Much love,
Marian

October Already?

Wow! Time sure flies when you're writing Fluffy! I have been editing it and editing it. Simplifying the text for the five to seven year old bracket. It is so much fun! I've added about half the pictures that I need and I am trying to find an illustrator. I have no idea how to do this, but hey, I don't know how to do most of the stuff I'm doing these days....why should this be any different? In the meantime, I have really enjoyed being here at the Warford's. We are very comfortable with each other, and it feels just like home, except the meat is burned...it has been nice to house sit for them and focus on my writing and it has been nice to have them back,they are such fun.

Susie is getting better, day by day. She is back to her usual self, except she now takes naps that last more than 15 minutes. She is playing the piano, gardening, and has her honeydew list well in hand. It's nice to see her back on her feet!

I had a repeat customer here in New Mexico from when I was here last year. That felt so good, I can't tell you. Not much money, but you have to start somewhere.

I have laid out my calendar for the next couple of weeks-I don't want to rush into anything, you know? anyway, I'll be leaving New Mexico for Colorado springs to see Aunt Joan Helm. I expect to stay a couple of weeks. On Oct 17th the New Mexico Book Association is having a workshop on publishing, so I'll come back for that, and then head to Los Angeles about the 20th.

I may stop in Tuscon to see the Wallaces (Trina's family) but I haven't had much success catching up with them lately, so we'll see about that. None the less,I expect to be in the Los Angeles area through Thanksgiving (assuming folks aren't sick of my face :) That's about all for now, talk to you next week!

Nearly Home

So much has happened since my last post that I hardly know where to start...so I'll start at the beginning. Alice is such an incredible hostess that I found myself there for more than a month! Knowing that I need a couple of weeks to drive west, I left NY/NJ and stopped at Mom's for a kiss goodbye and found her in distress. So, rather than an in and out, I stayed long enough to get things straightened out and left with such a heavy heart. At that moment, if I was able to stay I would have for an indefinite period of time. Nonetheless, I met Barbara and Louis at, where else, the Broadway Diner and headed off into the west.

My next stop was at my long lost cousin's, Beth Anne Gerhart, whom I haven't seen in at least thirty years. It was so wonderful to meet her and her family! What charming people, I am so glad I took the time to stop, certainly there is a closer relationship in the future.

I hopped up to Interstate 80 since I haven't taken the northern route thus far, It was so beautiful! We are certainly blessed! I drove with a mind full of wonder with little regard for time or place, this is a luxury I wish for everyone. At some point, I had to choose a route and since I was caught by surprise, I headed towards Denver. No reason, I guess it sounded good.

Of course, I swung by Aunt Joan's in Colorado Springs since I was in the neighborhood. I had stopped on my way east but she wasn't home. This time, she was. We had such an amazing visit! If you remember how funny she is, then I don't need to explain why I was so reluctant to leave after three days.

New Mexico is eight hours out of Colorado Springs, so here I am. Sue is struggling through her radiation but you couldn't tell by looking at her. She looks better than I have ever seen her! Given my need to be in LA this weekend, I will have to plan another visit when I can stay longer.

My next stop is the Wallace's in Tuscon, AZ. I don't really know how I am going to stay more than twenty minutes since their dog will eat Fluffy for breakfast and it will be too hot to leave her in the car or garage, I will at least say hello and head for the Stewart's for a belated birthday celebration.

I will be in LA for at least a week, but not much longer since I am itching to find my new place and call it home. Then again, they are quite good at keeping me entertained so we shall see...