So Saturday was our first meeting of the book club I decided to start (see previous post somewhere in the past). I'll shorten and spoil the long story of wonderful details from that get together and just say that only half of the women who rsvp'd, eight, to my Evite showed up. So as not to strain your math mind as it would mine, that makes four of us who attended. No judgement, just a fact. Also a fact was that it turned out perfect. The perfect women turned up-Karen, Patrice, Mellie, and I. We had a great time; at least I know I did and I believe, unless they are up for Oscars, they did too. The small group made for, of course, so much more intimate. As we waited in case anyone else was coming, Mellie and I had time to catch up and Karen and Patrice had their time together. Then while we ate the main course, Patrice and I had more time to chat together and Karen and Mellie got caught up. In between and after the four of us had great conversations, some even referring to the book. So as not to push it, I'll just leave it at saying that WE ARE a book club, the four of us. We decided to expand on it by planning an overnight trip (we need at least one overnight as this meeting lasted until 1 a.m.) to Virginia in early spring and find a book that relates to Virginia, spring, the south, etc. to discuss (we actually probably wouldn't need a book as I don't think the four of us could create a pregnant pause if we had to), but it's still fun. The expansion includes off-road antiquing and cake eating at a bakery in Richmond. We may have our own book to write after a couple of these trips!
I don't regret suggesting this book, I loved it. Karen read 50 pages and, just as I predicted, Mellie and Patrice finished the book because I knew they were good a following directions and have less adult ADD than me. I did win over Mellie though, I finished the book at 4 that afternoon and Mellie finished it at 7-the time of arrival. Patrice got the A as she finished two days before the meeting. Mellie had read the end near the beginning and Patrice had been to the Frank Llyod Wright museum and seen a documentary on him so knew what I didn't and Mellie knew part of. The ending is very tragic, a huge surprise as the rest of the book leading up is a lovely floating, thoughtful tale. I have to share that spoiler here because I would have like to know just that much before reading it so I wouldn't have been so shocked. Reading has caused me to want to find out much more about Frank Llyod Wright since his career took off after the book ends. It's/he's fascinating. I recommend the book but mostly recommend creating a reason to get together with other women on a regular basis so that too much time won't go by in between seeing each other because we are too busy with our busy work to make time for those life-saving, uplifting, bonding, full on fun experiences.
Oh, it's been what, a few days, since my last update. I've never logged the timing of my twitchy fingers but something just comes over me and I have no control.
I did sell a piece of furniture so I had to do some moving around but it could have been very easy but I was already in the twichy zone so I whirled a lot of stuff around.
Just wanted to share some overviews and close-ups.
I made a few new things that I added last week.
So Saturday was our first meeting of the book club I decided to start (see previous post somewhere in the past). I'll shorten and spoil the long story of wonderful details from that get together and just say that only half of the women who rsvp'd, eight, to my Evite showed up. So as not to strain your math mind as it would mine, that makes four of us who attended. No judgement, just a fact. Also a fact was that it turned out perfect. The perfect women turned up-Karen, Patrice, Mellie, and I. We had a great time; at least I know I did and I believe, unless they are up for Oscars, they did too. The small group made for, of course, so much more intimate. As we waited in case anyone else was coming, Mellie and I had time to catch up and Karen and Patrice had their time together. Then while we ate the main course, Patrice and I had more time to chat together and Karen and Mellie got caught up. In between and after the four of us had great conversations, some even referring to the book. So as not to push it, I'll just leave it at saying that WE ARE a book club, the four of us. We decided to expand on it by planning an overnight trip (we need at least one overnight as this meeting lasted until 1 a.m.) to Virginia in early spring and find a book that relates to Virginia, spring, the south, etc. to discuss (we actually probably wouldn't need a book as I don't think the four of us could create a pregnant pause if we had to), but it's still fun. The expansion includes off-road antiquing and cake eating at a bakery in Richmond. We may have our own book to write after a couple of these trips!
I don't regret suggesting this book, I loved it. Karen read 50 pages and, just as I predicted, Mellie and Patrice finished the book because I knew they were good a following directions and have less adult ADD than me. I did win over Mellie though, I finished the book at 4 that afternoon and Mellie finished it at 7-the time of arrival. Patrice got the A as she finished two days before the meeting. Mellie had read the end near the beginning and Patrice had been to the Frank Llyod Wright museum and seen a documentary on him so knew what I didn't and Mellie knew part of. The ending is very tragic, a huge surprise as the rest of the book leading up is a lovely floating, thoughtful tale. I have to share that spoiler here because I would have like to know just that much before reading it so I wouldn't have been so shocked. Reading has caused me to want to find out much more about Frank Llyod Wright since his career took off after the book ends. It's/he's fascinating. I recommend the book but mostly recommend creating a reason to get together with other women on a regular basis so that too much time won't go by in between seeing each other because we are too busy with our busy work to make time for those life-saving, uplifting, bonding, full on fun experiences.
How did I get to this? Oh, I remember, I was checking out Mind Wide Open blog and saw the button and went there and ended up at One World-One Heart -oh boy! There are something like 900+ from around the world participating this year.
I'd been having so much fun making necklaces, and this turned out to be my favorite, so I decided to put this one out for the giveaway. It's an antique miniature serving tray that was for teapot salt and pepper shakers then I added an antique sailor's Valentine broach made from seashells embellished with a shiny bling and leaf. The "pearl" necklace hooks right onto scrolls on the tray as does the compass in an antique hardware doodad. I hope others like it as much as I do. To enter this and the other giveaways, simply leave a comment here and don't miss your chance at all the giveaway goodies by clicking on the button on the right or the link above and leave a comment on the other blogs as well.
Mellie made a very small mention on her blog of being published so I'm doing for her what I'm completely comfortable doing for myself-shouting it out from the mountain tops! Above is the photo in the book of her contribution. How fab is that? The cool shoes on the dresser, I so heart it.
...another page of inspiration in the book...
...pic of the credits page and a close up below with her name.
Oops, I was just thinking that maybe she was keeping it legal by not copying this stuff...oh well...someone needs to show this off. Now go to Amazon and buy it.
Art is hiding behind Matt in the photo; he hid a lot at photo time but he had a great time, as did all, and held court in many different groups. These are all the cousins who came from New York (the whole family current back to way before Art were born and raised in Manhattan) helping us sing over the cake. Art was really in his element. He's so hail and hearty, we should all be so healthy!
Convoing with Art here are Michael, our great neighbor friend, Donald, Art's nephew, and Gus, another great neighbor friend. 
Chui and Chi Dong, also from grad school, flew in from Florida for the day. How sweet is that? They were true blue friends to Art after Paul left and, as you can see, they still are. 
More Penn Staters catching up, in the small world of Meteorology.
More science bonding. It was fun to get all these folks together for such a great occasion.
