Thursday Thirteen #104 -- The Shelfari Edition

THE LAST
THIRTEEN BOOKS
I HAVE READ

Complete reviews and purchase information for each of these books are available at Shelfari -- shelfari.com, just click on the book on my little bookshelf at right.

1. Oxygen by Carol Cassella. The best new novel I've read in quite some time. With the compassion of Jodi Picoult and the medical realism of Atul Gawande, Oxygen is a riveting new novel by a real-life anesthesiologist, an intimate story of relationships and family that collides with a high-stakes medical drama.

2. The Kennedy Legacy by Vincent Bzdek. John, Robert, and Ted Kennedy's individual stories can be seen as essentially one, each successive brother striving to fulfill the interrupted promise of the brother before. The closing of Ted Kennedy's chapter in America’s political and cultural life means that, for the first time perhaps, the real measure of the Kennedy legacy can finally be taken.

3. Crimson Joy by Robert B. Parker. An older Spencer I somehow missed, and really enjoyed. They call him the "Red Rose Killer" because he leaves one on the body of each woman he kills. But then the madman's eyes turn to Susan Silverman, and Spenser is on the case. For when Susan's life is in danger, Spenser becomes a hard-fisted, unstoppable locomotive--determined to bring the criminal to justice no matter what the odds!

4. Die, My Love by Kathryn Casey. True crime. The day before Halloween 2004 was the last day on Earth for respected, well-liked college professor Fred Jablin. That morning, a neighbor discovered his body lying in a pool of blood in the driveway of Jablin's Virginia home. Police immediately turned their attentions to the victim's ex-wife, Piper, a petite, pretty Texas lawyer who had lost a bitter custody battle and would do anything to get her kids back. But Piper was in Houston, one thousand miles away, at the time of the slaying and couldn't possibly have been the killer . . . could she?

5. Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot. Interesting approach -- a story told entirely through emails and voicemails. Meet Kate Mackenzie. She works for the T.O.D. (short for Tyrannical Office Despot, also known as Amy Jenkins,Director of the Human Resources Divisionat the New York Journal), is sleeping on the couch because herboyfriend of ten years refuses to commit, can't find an affordable studio apartment, anywhere in New York City and thinks things can't get any worse. They can.

6. Stranger in Paradise by Robert B. Parker. As bad as Crimson Joy is good, and a good example of why Parker has to be the most frustating author EVER! An Apache hit man arrives in Paradise to find a missing girl and snuff out her mother. But his conscience is getting the best of him. If he doesn’t make the hit, he’ll pay for it. So might Jesse Stone, who’s been enlisted to protect them all.

7. Dewey by Vicky Myron. Recommended for all cat lovers. How much of an impact can an animal have? How many lives can one cat touch? How is it possible for an abandoned kitten to transform a small library, save a classic American town, and eventually become famous around the world? You can't even begin to answer those questions until you hear the charming story of Dewey Readmore Books, the beloved library cat of Spencer, Iowa.

8. Rough Weather by Robert B. Parker. A Spencer mystery that I enjoyed. (Maybe I should just stick with Spenser and forget Stone.) A hurricane hinders a kidnapping and Spenser goes on a search for the man responsible— the infamous Gray Man, who has both helped and hunted Spenser in the past.

9. American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld. Much better than I expected. On what might become one of the most significant days in her husband’s presidency, Alice Blackwell considers the strange and unlikely path that has led her to the White House–and the repercussions of a life lived, as she puts it, “almost in opposition to itself.” A kind, bookish only child born in the 1940s, Alice learned the virtues of politeness early on from her stolid parents and small Wisconsin hometown. But a tragic accident when she was seventeen shattered her identity and made her understand the fragility of life and the tenuousness of luck. So more than a decade later, when she met boisterous, charismatic Charlie Blackwell, she hardly gave him a second look: She was serious and thoughtful, and he would rather crack a joke than offer a real insight; he was the wealthy son of a bastion family of the Republican party, and she was a school librarian and registered Democrat. Comfortable in her quiet and unassuming life, she felt inured to his charms. And then, much to her surprise, Alice fell for Charlie.

10. Lord of the Flies by William Golding. I got more out of this as adult than I did as an adolescent. A classic tale about a group of English schoolboys who are plane-wrecked on a deserted island is just as chilling and relevant today as when it was first published in 1954. At first, the stranded boys cooperate, attempting to gather food, make shelters, and maintain signal fires. Overseeing their efforts are Ralph, "the boy with fair hair," and Piggy, Ralph's chubby, wisdom-dispensing sidekick whose thick spectacles come in handy for lighting fires. Although Ralph tries to impose order and delegate responsibility, there are many in their number who would rather swim, play, or hunt the island's wild pig population. Soon Ralph's rules are being ignored or challenged outright. His fiercest antagonist is Jack, the redheaded leader of the pig hunters, who manages to lure away many of the boys to join his band of painted savages. The situation deteriorates as the trappings of civilization continue to fall away, until Ralph discovers that instead of being hunters, he and Piggy have become the hunted: "He forgot his words, his hunger and thirst, and became fear; hopeless fear on flying feet." Golding's gripping novel explores the boundary between human reason and animal instinct, all on the brutal playing field of adolescent competition.

11. Jemimia J: A Novel about Ugly Ducklings & Swans by Jane Green. The best Jane Green book I've read. Jemima Jones is overweight. About one hundred pounds overweight. Treated like a maid by her thin and social-climbing roommates, and lorded over by the beautiful Geraldine (less talented but better paid) at the Kilburn Herald, Jemima finds that her only consolation is food. Add to this her passion for her charming, sexy, and unobtainable colleague Ben, and Jemima knows her life is in need of a serious change. When she meets Brad, an eligible California hunk, over the Internet, she has the perfect opportunity to reinvent herself–as JJ, the slim, beautiful, gym-obsessed glamour girl. But when her long-distance Romeo demands that they meet, she must conquer her food addiction to become the bone-thin model of her e-mails–no small feat.

12. Up for Renewal by Cathy Alter. Very cool premise. By age thirty-seven, Cathy Alter had made a mess of her life. With a failed marriage already under her belt, she was continuing down the path of poor decisions, one paved with a steady stream of junk food, unpaid bills, questionable friends, and highly inappropriate men. So she sat down and asked herself what she truly wanted. A decent guy. A nicer home. More protein. When she took a closer look at her wants, she noticed something that seemed very familiar -- with the addition of exclamation points, her list could easily be transformed into the cover lines on every women's magazine: Find the love you deserve! Paint to the rescue! Eggs-actly perfect meals! So Cathy gave over her life to the glossies for the next twelve months, resolving to follow their advice without question. By the end of her subscriptions, she would get rid of upper-arm jiggle, crawl out of debt, host the perfect dinner party, run a mile without puking, engage in better bathtub booty, ask for a raise, and rehaul her apartment.

13, The Cat Who Moved a Mountain by Lillian Jackson Braun. I enjoy this series, and this is one of the better installments. On vacation in the Big Potato Mountains, Qwilleran stumbles into a mystery involving the murder of J. J. Hawkinfield, the developer who was pushed off a mountain years before after announcing his plans to develop the region.

To participate yourself,
or to look up more TT participants,
visit the new hub (thursday-13.com).

How can this be?

I've been eating healthier. (A serious reduction in sweets and increase in fruits.) I've been working out more. (Refer to the ticker on the right.) So how can I have a fever this morning? IT'S NOT FAIR!

I have theater tickets for tonight. A Chorus Line. I'm going anyway. Comfort food at South Water Kitchen and one of my favorite musicals can only be good for what ails me. (At least that's the plan now ...)

I did stay home from work today, though. I'm missing the How to Rectify the Gal's Fuck Up meeting. It's been scheduled and rescheduled so that we can have a full house and my humiliation is complete. I've had this damn meeting hanging over my head since last week. Scheduled for Friday but the office closed early. Then for Monday, but one of the art directors took a long weekend. Then yesterday, but one of the account execs was out. Now today. and I have a fever. If it was a migraine instead of a fever, I'd accuse myself of falling victim to a psychosomatic malady.

Atta Girl!

My mother went to see her doctor on Tuesday! I'm so happy. Since leaving the hospital, she has not been bouncing back as well as anyone had hoped. She's weak, she's breathless, she has trouble walking ...

Up until Easter. she was refusing to call the doctor and update him. It didn't matter what I said, or my sisters said. Every day she said she wanted to give it "one more day" before she spoke to her physician.

On Easter Sunday I had a private conversation with her. I told her that if I sounded as though I was angry with her, it's because I was. I felt as though she was choosing to leave me. Choosing to die rather than get well. I told her that she's still my mommy and I still need her. She promised me that day that she would phone her doctor on Monday.

I didn't expect she'd really do it, but she did!

She called on Monday, went in for tests and a consultation today, and should return later in the week after the results are in. The doctor is unhappy with her recovery, but doesn't feel she needs to go back into the hospital. We're all grateful for that!

Big Day in the Land of Blago

I have to admit it: I'm amused by his chutzpah, despite myself.

First, Rod Blagojevich pleaded "not guilty" to 19 counts of of corruption. He's facing substantial jail time if found guilty.

Then his lawyer requested "loosened travel restrictions" on the former gov. so that he can star in I'm a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here beginning on June 1 on NBC. According to the Chicago Tribune, NBC "describes the show as Swiss Family Robinson-type competition in which 10 celebrities are dropped in the heart of the jungle 'to face fun and comedic challenges designed to test their survival skills.' American viewers decide which celebrities stay or go, in addition to selecting the challenges used to earn food, supplies and luxury items."

For anyone who has been curious ...

This is a self portrait of The Gal Herself. Really.

If you can't be with the one you love

I want to be true to Mr. Rowing Machine. I've been told he's the best for me at this time of my life. But what's a gal to do when her Mr. Right isn't available? She has to settle for Mr. Right Now ...

You see, there's the downtown health club I try to go to (with only limited success) at lunchtime and there's my neighborhood health club I go to on weekends and evenings if I've missed by lunchtime workout. The personal trainer I met with on Saturday gave me sound reasons* why Mr. Rowing Machine should be my workout partner of choice. But the downtown health club doesn't have a rowing machine! So I had to make do with the elliptical.

I am enormously proud of myself. As of today, I've already completed 10 of my target 13 monthly workouts ... and it's only the 14th! I hope I start seeing results so I will be compelled to keep moving, even after this initial burst of enthusiasm wears off.


* Low impact and easy on my feet and knees, good for my shoulders and back -- which spend hours jus as they are now, hunched over a keyboard

OPENING DAY 2009

Hey, hey! Holy mackerel! No doubt about it!
CUBS SHUT OUT THE ROCKIES AT THE FRIENDLY CONFINES.

This was an exceptional game for Ted Lilly. The weather really sucked -- about 40º and drizzling throughout the game. Yet he had a no-hitter going for (I think) 6 innings and ended up with a shutout.

Easter reflections

My mom was happy to have us at her house, but too weak to participate much. My uncle, her baby brother, suffers from Parkinson's and he was having a bad day, punctuated by uncontrollable twitching in his eyelids and his left hand. It was sobering and sad to see the siblings interact, though it seemed to mean a lot to them to be together on the holiday.

Still, it wasn't all sobering and sad. My niece handled her first family dinner with aplomb. Her menu: Glazed ham, mashed potatoes with herb butter, crescent roles, broccoli with cheese sauce. It took her hours, but she seemed to enjoy her labors and did a wonderful job.

Her kid brother behaved very well. Age 9, he still believes in the Bunny and was up at dawn. Because my mom and uncle were moving so slowly, the festivities were over until almost 8:00 -- his bedtime. He made it through this long and exhausting day with no whining, no crying, no pouting. He was helpful as can be, pleased with his baskets, and an all-around champion.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Green Meme

1. What is your current obsession? Getting back into shape. I didn't expect to be thinking of it as much as I am.

2. What’s a good coffee place? I don't drink coffee. Sorry.

3. Who was the last person that you hugged? Dave, one of the art directors at work.

4. Do you nap a lot? I only nap on weekends.

5. Tonight, what’s for dinner? It's Easter, the first holiday that has my niece (a high school sophomore) taking over the cooking chores. I know we're having quiche, a broccoli dish and ham. The rest will be a surprise. She's very excited and serious about this.

6. What was the last thing that you bought? Chocolate covered strawberries. (I'm in charge of dessert for Easter dinner.)

7. What is your favorite weather? I love those perfect transitional days in spring and fall -- 65º or so and sunny and dry and filled with promise of the days to come.

8. Tell us something about one blogger who you think will play this week? Kwizgiver has a new puppy in her life.

9. If you were given a free house that was full furnished, where in the world would you like it to be? Right here. I love my neighborhood.

10. Name three things that you could not live without. iPod, cable TV, moisturizer

11. What would you like in your hands right now? (Diverting eyes demurely as I blush) It's inappropriate to answer that truthfully on Easter Sunday.

12. What’s one of your guilty pleasures? I looooove bad TV. Like Nancy Grace.

13. What would you change or eliminate about yourself? I want to feel sexy and feminine again.
14. As a child, what type of career did you want? First a grade school teacher, then a journalist.

15. What are you missing right now? My former, thin self.

16. What are you currently reading? At this moment, nothing. I finished the wonder Oxygen yesterday, and haven't chosen a new one from the TBR pile yet.

17. What do you fear the most? Plane crash.

18. What’s the best movie that you’ve seen recently? Duplicity. It didn't get great reviews, but I enjoyed it.

19. What’s your favorite book from the past year? Oxygen, a fascinating, highly relatable novel.

20. Is there a comfort food from your childhood that you still enjoy? Hot chocolate with little marshmallows.

Cubs come from behind in the 9th

What a great game!

I am celebrating with this picture of Ryan Theriot. He didn't have an outstanding game the way Fukodome or Soriano did. But he gave in a solid performance and besides, he's so much better looking.

A brighter new day

Spring is the time for rebirth, right? So today I am trying to start anew and concentrate on what I do have, instead of what I want desperately.

Spent an hour with Monette, my new personal trainer. We discussed my general health and specific issues and then she introduced me to my new best friend -- Mr. Rowing Machine! Devoted 15 minutes to him and then 20 minutes on the exercise bike. My shoulders are a little sore but it's not a bad kind of sore. Next Sunday she and I are meeting again to go over the personal fitness program she's developing for me. All I need is perseverance.

The sun is out. I feel stronger. I'm going to spend this Easter with my mom, which is a good thing and I must concentrate on that. It's not forever, but it's for now. My moments are good. I must remember to just appreciate them.

Thanks to everyone who weighed in about my bluesy moment yesterday. I appreciate your kindness and support.

Yearning

Maybe it's because my first week back from vacation was pretty rough. Maybe it's because holidays tend to make me a little more introspective than usual. Maybe it's because the Cubs lost to the Brewers. But tonight, I'm filled with longing, an ache for things I can't have.

I want …

• My mom to be young again.

• To have someone who loves me, romantically loves me, that I can have good, clean, dirty fun in bed with.

• My former size 6 body.

• A pretty face.

• To know when the Recession will be over.

• To convince everyone to adopt shelter pets.

• Just a half-hour more with my grandpa. Just 30 more minutes.

• To have more and need less (of everything).

I know, I know. I have been blessed with much in life and I really am grateful. But still, I want ...

A 35¢ Act of Kindness

Today at lunch I stopped at McDonald's on my way back to the office. As I waited for my order (I substituted fries with a healthier yogurt parfait) I observed the man at the next register trying to place his. I don't know that he was homeless, but his clothes were unmistakably not Downey fresh. I don't know that he was deaf, but he certainly was mute. He handed the cashier a list and kept gesturing "three." Then he laid two singles and four quarters on the counter. Unfortunately the tab was $3.35.

I lingered a moment because I wanted to make up the 35¢ if it was necessary. It wasn't. The cashier filled the order, even though his customer was 35¢ short. This was done with a minimum of fanfare. The manager wasn't called over. I'm not even sure the customer realized what kindness he'd been shown.

It made me very happy.

Who do these two think they are?

Whenever I am in danger of feeling sorry for George and Cindy Anthony, they turn out to be haughty, elitist liars. They have been subpoenaed, and today were compelled to answer questions under oath in the suit Zenaida Gonzalez filed against their daughter, the infamous "Tot Mom" Casey Anthony.

They were hostile and controlling from Square One. Clearly they don't feel that the laws apply to them, and they shouldn't have to answer questions that are difficult, embarrassing or painful for them. As opposed to all the people who are deposed in cases every day? Who have to participate in legal procedings regarding the consequences other people's actions? No one wants to go court, but every day people have to. What makes the Anthonys better?

I understand that they have lost their grandchild. I sympathize with the anguish not only of losing that adorable little girl, but their anonymity and life as they knew it a year ago.

But instead of blaming the one who put them in this position, their daughter, they blame every one else in the world. They perjured themselves today, with statements different than those they made to the police. I need a Silkwood Shower after seeing this.

Thursday Thirteen #103 -- Stolen from Snarky Pants

Yes, I'm stealing from you again, Lisa! I'm too distracted to come up with a real, original TT idea, so this week I continue to recycle from Snarky Pants and present 13 more previously undisclosed facts about moi.

AN ADDIITONAL THIRTEEN
FACTS ABOUT THE GAL
YOU WILL ONLY FIND
HERE

1) The movie character I relate to the most is Katie Morosky (The Way We Were) in that I believe everything we do matters to our fellow man in some way and so I can't not pay attention and I can't not care. I'm also very sure of everything I'm sure about. I've been told this makes me a wee bit too intense at times.

2) Janis Ian's "At 17" is still painful for me to hear. ("I heard the truth at 17 that love was meant for beauty queens …")

3) Kathie Lee Gifford ties with Madonna as the female celebrity who annoys me the most.

4) My legs are still good. If/when I get those varicose veins taken care of, I intend to wow the unsuspecting Midwest by showing off my gams.

5) I used to be a pretty fair tree climber, back in the day.

6) My most horrifying amusement park moment didn't involve a roller coaster. No, it was the bumper cars. I got stuck beside the empty tires and couldn't get out, and the pimply kid with the microphone kept yelling, "Come on, #3! Get out of there, #3!" Like I wouldn't if I could!

7) I'm really not as smart as I may seem. The first time I saw the headline, "BREAKING NEWS! Pirates Take Hostages," I actually thought that some of the Pittsburgh players sprung out of the dug out to confront rowdy fans. Really. I'm not kidding. Would I cop to such a ridiculous notion if it weren't true?

8) I'm inexplicably drawn to marathons on the USA Network. I have put my life on hold to indulge in episode afer episode of Law & Order: SVU, Monk, Psyche and NCIS.

9) I've been to Germany, France and Switzerland but really have no desire to return to Europe at all. If I had extra money to spend on a vacation, I'd rather go to the Grand Canyon (which I've never seen) or New York (which I loved).

10) Between the time I spend at my keyboard at work, and then while farting around online, I worry about getting carpal tunnel syndrome.

11) I'd much rather bake than cook (though I don't really enjoy either).

12) I'm sorry I never saw Elvis or Frank Sinatra in concert.

13) One of my favorite oldies to sing along with is "You Were on My Mind" by the We Five, even though the lyrics make no sense to me whatsoever.

To participate yourself,
or to look up more TT participants,
visit the new hub (thursday-13.com).

I won't be sorry when this work day ends

I've been busy today. I'm done taking lumps for my screw up, which wasn't as painful as I feared. Embarrassing? You bet. Humbling? Oh, no doubt about it. But not really painful.

Then I asked my boss if the lay-off rumors were true. He said they weren't. Just to make sure, I asked someone who has direct, daily client contact, and she said they weren't true either.

Then I called to check up on my mom. She still sounds weak as a kitten, but she's happy to be home, so that's good.

This stress (along with a nice, 35-minute cardio workout and a Xanax) have left me feeling pretty drained. I just can't wait to get home and flip back and forth between American Idol (go, Adam!) and the baseball game (go, Cubs!).

Poor, poor pitiful me

I screwed up at work a few weeks ago, and it's just now coming to light. Everyone is being very nice about it: "I understand how it happened," etc., but they would be well within their rights to not be. I screwed up.

I screwed up.

This is not a good time for screw ups. Not with the rumors flying that the client may be considering giving us less, not more, work. It was sloppy and ugly and irresponsible of me to give them a reason to place a black mark beside our name.

"It's not that big a deal." Yes, it is. The client shouldn't expect to have to do my job. Grammar and spelling are my job here. I must be more careful going forward.

We're having a meeting today at 2:00, in a small group, to discuss how to make sure this doesn't happen again. I'm not looking forward to it. I was told that the point of the meeting was to discsuss process, not to just "point a finger at you," but I'd be OK with it if they did.

I hate this.

Nice

My mom is home. Fatigued, but happy to be home. I asked her if she wanted me to stay with her tonight and she said no. She craves normalcy, sitting quietly in her own livingroom on her own sofa surrounded by her cats. I'm grateful she's home and that she should bounce back from this bout with pneumonia.

My best friend and I are still us. He's been worried about his own job, especially after having to take several previously unscheduled days off due to, of all things, a blizzard. Consequently he hasn't been as available to converse as I'd like. But he's back, and we're still as comfortable with one another as ever. His dad is getting divorced (again) and the office politics at his agency are disturbing him. But he's reasonably certain I won't lose my job and he's been very sympathetic about my mom. He's my bud. Everything makes more sense when he's around.

I'm still inspired. I've worked out 3 days in a row! It feels good.

So everything in my life at this moment feels pretty good. If only the Cubs had managed to win in extra innings.

Someone to hang onto

Good news! My mom should be home this afternoon or this evening! She doesn't sound so good -- tired and distracted. But both her cardiologist and her lung doctor tell her she's cleared to go. Now she only has to get the OK from her GP and she'll be in her own bed, surrounded by her cats, tonight.

I'm so grateful. She's my mommy. I still need her.

What's more, my oldest friend has generously offered to step up to the plate. She says that if my mom or I needs anything, "Put up the signal. I'm there." I've known her since we were in Kindergarten together. I still need her, too.

As I've grown up (older?), many things in my life have changed. But I've still got these two women, who have known me virtually all my life, to hang onto. I'm very lucky.

Rumor has it ...

... that my client is going to suspend promotions on another product. And that would just happen to be the very product I work on. Uh-oh.

It wasn't that long ago that I thought I escaped the shadow of the grim reaper's scythe. I may have been too optimistic.

Or maybe not. This is an unpredictable industry in a depressed economy. Who knows what will happen next? I must remember to breathe deep, take it one day at a time, and not freak myself out. Though I suppose it wouldn't hurt for me to reapply the brakes on my spending ...

Tuesday Tunes #22 -- Mix CDs

Have you ever made a mix CD for someone or had one given to you? My niece, currently in high school, is a newly-minted Beatle fan and her favorite is George. For Christmas, in an attempt to convince me that he was as talented as Lennon-McCartney, she made me a pair of CDs -- All Things Must Past and a mix of her favorite songs from other George albums (as well as the Willburys). I appreciate the gesture and enjoy the songs, but I'm still a Paul Girl.

What way do you share music with friends? Mix CDs, tapes or other means? Just yesterday I sent an email to my best friend with Martha Reeves' version of Van Morrison's "Wild Night" as an attachment.

Why do you usually make a mix CD? I've only ever made three mix CDs:
1. to re-introduce said best friend to Bruce Springsteen. Back in the 1980s, when Bruce hit it big, my friend was going through one of those "if it's commercially successful, it can't be good" phases that we all have fallen victim to. (Back in the 1970s I resisted Elton John for the same reason, so I don't judge.)

2. A 15-song overview of Paul McCartney's career for my best friend's little girl. She discovered that they shared a June 18 birthday and wanted to know as much about him as she could, as fast as she could. I think Sir Paul may have since been displaced for the Jonas Brothers.

3. a collection of my friends' favorite songs for my uncle. He's ill, stricken Parkinson's, so I thought I'd expand his world a bit with music he may not be familiar with. My friends are an eclectic bunch, and it was reflected in their contributions -- from Laurie Anderson to Johnny Cash to the Doors to Cesaria Evora.

If you could make one person a mix, who would it be and why? Hmmm ... I can't think of anyone. Is that bad?


To participate yourself, click here.

Go, Cubs, Go!

HEY, CHICAGO, WHAT DO YOU SAY? THE CUBS ARE GONNA WIN TODAY!

It's always nice to win. It's really nice to win on Opening Day. It's really, really nice to win a game that starts with Alfonso Soriano getting a homerun, the lead-off man, with his first at bat of the season.

This is gonna be another exciting season. I can feel it!

Sisterhood Is Powerful!

Look what I got from Mo! In addition to basking in the warmth of her kind words, I get to pass this along to others.

The rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude!
3. Be sure to link your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Remember to link the person from whom you received your award.

So here are my self-proclaimed cyber sisters:

Book Mama. I know that after the twins, the last thing you think you need is another sister! Too bad. I check out your blog every day, hungry for news about your job situation, LS and BB, Tim, and, of course, Snowbird. I admire the integrity with which you are raising your kids, and the affection within your family.

Jenny McB. One of my first blogging buddies. She loves her cats and her knitting and her boys and her golf. I wish she posted more. She takes what's serious seriously. The rest of the world? Not so much.

Kwizgiver. Dedicated teacher, big reader, and George Clooney lover. She very generously and frankly shares her everyday joys and triumphs, and it's comforting to learn that we're more alike than we may have realized.

Lisa. Her blog is, as promised, "all snark and no pants." She's a riot. A genuinely original voice in the blogosphere, and a woman who unashamedly loves her Cookie.

Vivian. Positive and sincere and genuine, Vivian is one of the kindest bloggers I have ever encountered. I'm proud that she swings by, and always comforted when she wishes me well.

Mimi. She's both visual and verbal, both funny and sensitive. Best of all, she's royal. So if we're sisters, I get to claim royal blood!

The Silver Neurotic. First of all, she's a Beatle fan, as all the best people are. She's at such an interesting time in her life! It seems she comes upon one crossroad after another as she evolves, and always responds with a good and open heart.

Cupcake. Intense and always very involved -- whether it's with her Tommy, her Geniuses, The Pro and Secondo and The Queen, or the not-so-secret love we both share, The Boss. As with Jenny McB, this is my chance to tell you in an open forum that you should post more!

It's not Christmas, but it's close

Central champs set to begin second title defense

The Cubs begin their quest to three-peat in the division with today's 6:05 p.m. CT opener in Houston. Carlos Zambrano makes his fifth straight Opening Day start.

Manic Monday #24

How often do you change your toothbrush? I don't have a formula for it. Each time I go to the dentist (because he gives me a new one) and then at least once in between visits so that would be ... um ... every 3 months or so. How often am I supposed to do it?

What is your favorite item of clothing to shop for? Do purses count? I looooove looking at purses. If purses don't count, then sweaters in fall/winter and lighter-weight pullovers and t's in spring/summer. I have more fun shopping for tops than bottoms (because I have a criminally fat ass).

Do you use social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.)? Which do you use most often? Twitter. I never check Facebook. Between this blog and Linked In (a networking site) and now Twitter, I don't have time for Facebook.

To play along, click here.

It never quite goes away. It's always there.

Years ago, decades ago, when I was in high school, one of my relatives -- a pillar of his church, a respected family patriarch -- molested me. He has never apologized for what he did because he's not sorry. In fact, he revels in it. As recently as the last time we were together for any length of time (a little over a decade ago), he behaved inappropriately, whispering questions about my rate of intercourse and whether I masturbate. The occasion that brought us together was my mom's 60th birthday, and he enjoyed watching me squirm as I tried to maintain the "one big happy family" facade even as felt his breath on my skin. I was so upset that afterward I announced to my mother and sisters that I was never, ever going to be in the same room with him again. I can't bear it. And, as an adult, I have the power to make that decision, and to protect myself from humiliation and hurt.

It isn't that my mother and kid sister don't believe what happened to me back in the 1970s. It's more that they wish I could just "get past it" for the sake of peace in the family. He has since remarried and his new wife must wonder why I am so distant. (I wonder which of her daughters he played "funny uncle" with, because sex offenses are serial behavior, but you can imagine how well that went over.) The cousins in Michigan and Florida adore him and would be shattered if they knew what he did. I have stood my ground, though. I refused to attend my niece's baptism because he was invited (I couldn't bear dealing with that at a church function). I left a family visitation through the side door when he came in the front.

I know that it isn't very Christian of me, but I can't stand that this 80+ year old pervert is still alive, throwing wrenches in the works. My life would be so much easier if he were dead. (There, I said it.) What happens if my mom needs help when she gets out of the hospital? If I'm staying at her house, I may have to play hostess to the creep when he comes to call. He'll do it because it's expected of him, my mom being so sick so close to Easter and all, and it will burnish his reputation with the relatives that don't know any better. I'll do it because it will be what my mother will want me to do, and her needs supersede mine at this point. Protecting his skinny old ass and his pious reputation are paramount.

Oh well, she's not even out of the hospital yet. It could be that her condition will be so improved by tomorrow or Tuesday that she won't need me to live in. I could be worrying about a situation that will never come to pass.

I long to quit protecting him. HE, after all, is at fault. If his reputation were tarnished, it would be no less than he deserves. After all, some people get arrested for what he did in that upstairs bedroom way back when. But I realize that in order to keep the family facade as smooth as glass, I'll have to keep preserving his "good name" for as long as he lives.

It means a lot to my mother. I wish it didn't, but it does, so I'll have to suck it up, even if it means hurt and humiliation.

Feeling inspired

I joined a health club here in my neighborhood and did 35 minutes of cardio, 16 reps on one of the arm machines and some leg lifts. The club is new-ish (about two years old) and has far more equipment than the Bally's club I go to downtown. It's also open almost 24 hours a day, so it gives me fewer excuses for blowing off my workouts.

Spending days being buffed and scrubbed and massaged and exfoliated made me think a bit differently about my body. I used to be in shape. I used to feel better and was proud of my endurance. Now I'm a fatty who is out of breath racing to the el platform. The only one between me and a little self improvement is me. I won't look as good as I did at 25, but I can look and feel better. I just need to focus.

Look who represents us!

I'm watching the "week in review" coverage of the President's European trip and his speech in Prague today, and I'm so proud. And relieved.

My job looks OK through the summer, but that's as far into the future as it goes. And that's just the regular baseball season. (Of course, as a Cub fan, I'm dreaming of a post-season ... as an employee, I'd like one, too.) It's not like I'm comfortable enough to develop a 1-year personal financial plan, much less a 5-year plan.

The world is a scarier place than I can fathom. Pakistan and Afghanistan are a mess. Israel has brought back Netanyahu, never exactly open to playing well with others. Look! Up in the sky! Is that a ballistic missile sent up by Korea?

It's the nation and the world George W. Bush helped in no small way to shape. I'm just glad he's not out there making it all worse, either by his his arrogance or neglect.

Instead we're represented by a man who relishes diversity and espouses hope and change at a time when the world seems thirsty for it. And, of course, Michelle. Jackie for a new generation.

I realize that this trip may have been a triumph of style over substance. But that's OK. For the "wanted, dead or alive" cowboy image we had abroad was toxic. The crowds in Prague to hear the President speak about a safer future warmed my heart.

53¢ and a flag of New Zealand

My 16-year-old niece is a slob. Even more than me, and that's saying something. Her parents decided her room was sliding from "messy" into "fire hazard," and decreed that she must clean it up (or is it "out"?) this weekend.

She recruited her 9-year-old brother to help. He was thrilled because he is seldom even allowed in her sanctuary, much less invited into it. They worked together for hours and reportedly came up with bags of things to be discarded. When I spoke to him last night, he breathlessly told me how he had been paid: he could rescue any one thing he wanted from her castoffs, he could keep any money he found on the floor, and he could have 30 minutes of her evening Internet time.

"I got 53¢ and a flag of New Zealand!" he exclaimed. His joy was infectious.

A very vivid, rather wacky dream

Last night I dreamt that I'm trying to get to my new doctor's office for an appointment. The night is very rainy, and I'm trying to find an address in a neighborhood I'm unfamiliar with. I trip and drop my purse in a puddle (and I love my purses).

According to the folks at dreammoods.com, I have issues.

To dream that I am seeing the doctor indicates my need for emotional and spiritual healing. That it takes place at night indicates issues in my life that I am facing, but that aren't too clear. The storm represents unexpressed fears or emotions. The puddle is feelings that have been downplayed and overlooked. My purse represents secrets, desires and thoughts which are being closely held and guarded.

I think it means I'm having a hard time dealing with my mom's illness … and her mortality. She's over 70 and this is her second hospitalization in two years. It's scary and I don't like it. While I'm certain that she will come home and resume her normal life next week, I can't ignore that my previously healthy mother suffers from emphysema, COPD, and a propensity for pneumonia. It's sad and leaves me feeling helpless and unhappy.

Not today, not tomorrow

My mom didn't want to come home today, and she's not. She had hoped be released tomorrow, and that isn't happening, either. She's starting to get bored and to hate the food -- while I'm sorry for her, it makes me happy because it means she's feeling stronger.

The darker side of luxury

The resort has 14 guest suites at the spa. Only two were occupied -- one by me. There's also an inn, which is a more conventional hotel with 275 rooms. There was a hotel/motel convention being held there, so many of those rooms were filled. In addition to conventioneers there were couples vacationing who were as interested in golf or wine tasting as the spa, and they moved from the spa to the winery to the course. So I can't know for sure that things are slower and less lucrative than during my visit last year.

But I saw signs. For example, the gift shops were all closed. Of course you could buy things, but folks were doing double duty. At the winery, it was the restaurant maitre d' who also handled the register, at the spa it's the woman's locker room attendant, at the inn it was the concierge. So that's three jobs gone from last year.

The exercise classes at the spa were all held before noon, as opposed to all day long last year. I assume it's so they only have to pay the trainer for half days.

I realize that as we all look for places to cut, a spa stay is probably one of the first things to go. After all, as much as I loved, LOVED my vacation, I know it's not a necessity. But it makes me sad for the personal trainers whose workload is cut in half, or the three retail clerks who lost their jobs altogether.

In Review

My favorite spa treatment was the Mud Body Massage. First I was covered in crushed grape seeds (high in Vitamin E and C) and then clay was massaged all over my body. It drew the toxins from deep within my skin, then the mixture was rinsed away in a Vichy shower (shown above). The final step was a massage with moisturizer. My skin felt soooooo soft. I loved it!

The hot stone massage, the facial and the hand/foot reflexology treatment were yummy, too.

I also enjoyed the mimosas with lunch. The robe and slippers I never had to change out of it I didn't feel like it. The chocolates on my pillow every night. The courtesy car that was always available to take me anywhere on the grounds. The free room service and the meals included in the spa package. Drinking wine with dinner that was made right there on site. The quiet time that got me through 21 chapters of the book I'm reading. And what's not to love about sipping champagne during a pedi? I think living in such luxury might get boring after a while, but I'd be willing to perform an experiment to see how long it would take. (All in the name of science and research to better my fellow man, of course.)

Even though I have spoken to my mom everyday, and she sounds better and more positive with each call, I still slept fitfully. The wackiest dream from the last few days involves my uncle. He was married to Rue McClanahan, Blanche of The Golden Girls, and they were both furious about something I tweeted on Twitter. I have no idea what it's symbolic of, and I don't care. It's just too odd.

I'm in a bathrobe, Mom's in a hospital gown

Well, I got on the plane yesterday confident that my mom was feeling better. And she was. But that doesn't mean she wasn't still sick. She went to the doctor at about 4:30 in the afternoon and he admitted her into the hosptial with pneumonia.

I found out about it this afternoon when, after a massage and a pedi and a makeup lesson and some champagne, I went back to my gorgeous suite and checked my voicemail at home.

She sounds good. Eager to hear all about my vacation and tell me how "cheap" Holly Madison looked on Dancing with the Stars. She can't wait to tell the nurse all about my spa holiday and she's already bragged about the thermos of broccoli and cheese my niece sent her (my niece most emphatically does not approve of hospital food) and the plush toys my nephew brought to keep her company. So she is much better than she was last year. But the doctor is being cautious because he wants to treat this rapidly and correctly and get her home by Friday.

So, in all, I'm glad I came. In reality, there's little I could do for her at home that isn't being done, and I think she'd feel worse if she felt I cancelled this because of her. Still, it's hard for me to adjust to the idea of my mom being sick.

So thanks for the good wishes, everyone! Now I must get dressed for dinner in the Versailles Room. Since you are living through me, I feel it's my duty to do right by all of you.

Spa! Ah!

I'm here! Slept like a baby during the flight (not gin and tonic, Kwiz, but a few grams of Xanax). Spoke to my mom before I boarded and she's feeling much better, and breathing much better today. I'll check in with her again tomorrow, as I can sense she thinks I'm being "bossy." (Moi?)

The suite is more sumptuous than I'd imagined. The staff is generous and friendly (and my favorite waitress remembered me from last year). I am now prepared to pig out on healthy spa food, watch Idol, and prepare for a day of being buffed and massaged and exfoliated.

Thanks for thinking of me, Kwiz and Vivian and Sparkela. It's so nice to be so honest on this blog and get such support in return. I appreciate your kindnesses more than you know.