Red or White?

With my new status at UAL and the motivation to do something additional in the work world...last night I took a class and received a certificate good for five years to be able to serve wine, beer or even real cocktails in a bar. In a couple of weeks, I take my food serving class.

It almost seems like a dream job area for me. Serving people and making sure they are happy with what I can give them. It would be like one of my parties at home.

"Would you like red or white wine? Or how about a bacon wrapped date, stuffed with blue cheese?" I looked very briefly on Craigslist and here is my example of great fun. Benaroya Hall has an event and looking for people to help during intermission etc to serve. They gave about seven dates to be available. Now that is exactly what I want! No big commitment, pocket money and listening or getting a glimpse of the event. Yes, I'll wear black and white. Another spot of interest....Woodinville winery row. They have people set up for the tasting rooms...now I'm qualified to legally do this. So when will Airfield have their facility set up? I could be on the "on call" list! Or how about, when we volunteered for the YMCA fundraisers...those where caterers hired to dish up etc. The best part of all of this - is I again could be paid to talk just as I do now and love.

This really could be exciting.

Apple Peach French Toast!

Let me tell you how very, very excited I am about my trip this week.

Going to Fredricksburg VA....being with Charley's family, dinner for his nieces birthday...all good and it will be fun and interesting seeing the Washington DC area. Always great, but...from there we are driving down to Wilmington NC which takes about 5 hours. Basically from Seattle to Spokane. Last time I did a driving trip in that area (sort of) was with Sheri and Mom. We had a lovely time and I remember the country being to different and interesting. Of course, this time, it is winter and it won't be as green.

I got the pleasure of picking out where to stay. I didn't want your basic hotel even though was Charley's first thought. Stay at the Hilton on the beach where he's stayed before. Nope, but thanks. We can drive the 15 minutes to take a walk on the Atlantic beach. I picked the cutest B&B ever. You have to look at it www.Rosehill.com. We are staying in the Wedgewood which according to my new friend Bob, the biggest and quietest room. Can hardly wait....and the menu, I'm already eager to eat good southern food. Its very close to the Cape Fear River and I'll stroll there in the evenings.

Seeing the Greek Aunties is going to be a blast. You all would really enjoy them....so cute. We'll be eating lots of Greek food as well....do all trips need to be centered around the yummy food? Well, yes.

Doesn't this sound like the best! Thanks to all who have helped with pet sitting for this trip possible. As usual, I'll keep in contact via e-mail, blogs and of course phone. Hugs, Hugs, Hugs.

Read, Read, Read

Last night I just finished the last of my Christmas books....The Help, Dear John, and Whistlin' Dixie - Nor' Easter. All are fabulous and I am willing to share if anyone wants a new read.

Thanks family for knowing my taste in books...you've given me hours of enjoyment!

This Time Last Year

I'm feeling very sorry for myself today. Laying on the couch, taking cold tablets and sneezing every now and then. Not fare, I had a cold not two months ago and don't deserve it again yet!

But, having this time by myself, lets my mind wonder to this time last year. We were reading out loud from Danielle Steel's "Coming Out". Laughing, talking and crying as we watched Grammy in her hospital bed. Rotating the book so there wouldn't be any quite space. Leaving to give updates to my sister and brother, while waiting for Denny and his family to get here. Dave, Charley and Tyler have just left to get back home so that they don't have to drive too late over the pass. My daughters and myself in the only hospital room without whispers as we continue to read and chuckle.

I took Mom with me to work on Sunday and I'll have her travel with me tomorrow as well. Its so nice to take her on field trips.

Maybe tomorrow, I'll finally be able to go through her boxes? We'll see.

Foreign Film Phase

I just watched an amazing movie last night. So put it on your list to order or go pick up at the video store.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. French foreign film. It is so good. Also I recently watched another foreign film...again so good...The Red Violin. As long as you don't mind ready the sub-titles. Very enjoyable.

Let me know after you ALL have taken the time to watch these how much you loved them.

Precious...would you smell the moose?

So yesterday I'm working in the Red Carpet Club and this very nice looking woman about 35 or so, nicely dressed, pretty hair...basically a put together gal, comes up to me and asked me if I would "smell her". What????

I'm sure the look of panic and confusion was all over my face. She apologized quickly and explained that she was taking some sort of herbal medical treatment and the doctor? or whatever said with this treatment might have a side effect was that she could radiate a smell of some sort..garlic whatever. So she fluffs her hair, spins around and holds up her arms for me to smell. Nothing. I told her I smell her shampoo, but she doesn't smell bad to me. She's worried her seat partner on the airplane will be offended. Apparently she also asked the hotel and the taxi driver the same question and they both said yes that they wondered what that smell was! Something like bad garlic, fish etc. Well I smelled nothing and reassured her...because what's she going to do about it at this time.

Does this remind you of smelling the "moose"?

Book Pantry

I have been in a big, big, big reading frenzy since Christmas.

I just finished South of Broad....Pat Conroy. Very good! I love they way he describes the south and southern food. Makes me crave a southern twange. Just now I have finished one of my Christmas books (again about the south) Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter (Morgan's pick). Very cute and quick read.

Now back to my pantry to select the next one! I guess I'm glad that Amazing Race and Grey's hasn't started up again ..now I can read every night.

Belated Christmas Gift

So tonight about 6pm the doorbell rings...do I answer it, nope. I'm done for the day and so like a big girl, I go out to the garage to sneak a peak at who it at the door or leaving the yard. Just some young guy, so obviously good idea to not answer.

Well now its about 7:30pm and I just remembered the doorbell ring and thought I best make sure something wasn't left on the door. Well he left a flyer for new windows, but on the front porch was a package left by FedEx.

Nothing like a good cry before bed. It was from Aunt Nancy and a very nice card with pictures from the lunch we had in Cle Elum in October. Also was a box that she had a note written on the outside with "ML Christmas 2009". She said in her card that she had purchased this item for Mom last year for this years Christmas and thought I would enjoy it. Tacky as heck, but I will certainly put it next to the homemade Christmas Santa Claus Mom made when I was a little girl. This new snowman who is holding an antique (replica) candle will be perfect together.

I wrote a big thank you about how really special this gift is to me and how we made Mom a part of our Christmas on the diningroom table. It reallywas quite beautiful with all the reds in the roses, picture and of course, Mom in glass.