Good discussion

I finally broke through and attended a Reading Discussion Group last week. My first since my Creston days, though I've missed this activity a great deal. Especially when I talk to others who are in groups - hearing about the books they are reading. Comments like, "Nope, I can't make it that night, I have book club and we're taking treats and drinking wine!" Jealousy is my name when I hear that.

I miss the Book Chicks - the club I was once a part of in Creston. Many years ago my pal Deb and I decided we needed to start a club - so I stuck a sign up at Matilda Gibson Public Library asking people to email me if they were interested. I had picked a book, and one of the potential participants offered to host! That was the start of our little group.

Thea's House in Creston - many stories told here

The group ebbed and flowed through the years, but it was anchored by Deb, me and Thea - the eternal hostess who lived in a fabulous brick home on the north side of town with a pool in the back. Thea had a couple "girls", her dogs who would greet us at the door. Peaches was huge, but very friendly. I met so many awesome women during that time - some that had lived in Creston for a long time and others who were new to town. Some of them stayed in the group for many years and others found that it didn't fit their schedules or they couldn't keep up with the reading. Or they didn't like us! haha

Deb with Thea

We met monthly. I sure looked forward to those meetings - even when I didn't really like the month's book. Every member could suggest titles, and Sue, the librarian would obtain copies of the books for all of us through Inter-library loan at a fee of $1. It was a great system.

The discussion/therapy sessions were classic. Some meetings left me chuckling for nights afterward. Most books came with prepared discussion questions and I tried to make sure everyone had a chance to share her (we never did attract any guys) thoughts and opinions. We often veered off the trail and into more personal topics/politics and our work and everyday lives. I really got to know these women and remain friends and Facebook friends with many of them today.

It was a sad day when lovely Thea let us know that she was ill with cancer. I blogged about her before - as she became such a good friend through our mutual love of books. Thea passed away in 2012 and I sure miss her and think about her often.

Our book club tried to carry on during Thea's illness and after her death - but we lost our steam. I was commuting back and forth and getting ready to move to DSM in 2012. The Book Chicks stopped meeting and I was without a club in a new city.

I kind of went into mourning - like when your dog dies. I wasn't ready to adopt a new one. It took a long time. Oh I'd listen to others talk about theirs. Then I'd look at books clubs were reading. I was getting ready. Finally, last month I noticed that the West Des Moines Library offered a title and a September 1st meeting date for their discussion group. I decided to go.

I had to laugh when the date came around and I noticed that on my work calendar it popped up as "Adult Book Discussion Group". I must have typed in like that because the library also has Kids groups. Yet it did make it sound a bit spicier than the book - "A Land More Kind Than Home"
which I purchased and read on my Nook. The book was not my usual genre and it was depressing - but I slogged my way through it. So I could discuss it with the adults!

I arrived at the WDM Library last Tuesday at the appointed time - joined by around 18 other women (most guys aren't into book club evidently). A librarian was in charge. Most of the women were longtime attendees and were exchanging pleasantries before the meetings. I was the new kid.

To discuss the book, we went around the table - the meeting was in a small room on the second floor - introducing ourselves and stating if we liked the book and why/not. As about the 12th speaker, I didn't have a lot new to add. Once we made it through everyone there was more wide open discussion. The differing opinions on the book amazed me. One person found humor in it. What? It was about death and destruction - an evil pastor who killed people in the name of God. But I enjoyed the discussion and just having an outlet like that again - though I couldn't let swear words slip out and there was no liquor involved...it'll do. One gal did bring chocolate!

The librarian (I'm terrible with names) gave us next month's book. I will be glad to go. Here's to you Thea, and other friends from Book Chicks! I miss you all.

Happy Book Lover's Day!

August 9th is when America celebrates Book Lover's Day - but that's really every day for me. And it has been ever since Miss Casey introduced me to my first Dick and Jane book in first grade at Washington Elementary in Atlantic, Iowa. I recall how delighted I was to take control of those letters - making them into words and finding meaning in them. Reading opened a whole new world for me!

The world was first - our little library of books at the Bullock house - some of the books gleaned from Momo and Bubba's attic, from the stash that had been Dads, and my Aunt Jean and Aunt Marty's.

• Happy Hollisters
• Bobbsey Twins
• Nancy Drew
• Oz Books - by Frank L. Baum
• and other assorted books - like the Grimm Fairy Tales - those were some dark stories!
• Black Beauty

After I exhausted our supply of reading material, I began to order paperbacks from the school program. They probably made a bit of money on each paperback they sold for $.45. Mom was generous - I'd get up to 10 books sometimes. I loved Encyclopedia Brown - were I got to try to solve the crime along with the boy detective.

 

Then it was on to the Atlantic Memorial Library. I'd go with Mom, who was also an avid reader, or during summer months, I enjoyed walking downtown. I'd stop at the various dime stores for candy - enough to get a big canker sore later! Pixie sticks, purple bubble gum, Lemonheads, Pez - I liked it all! Even Giant Sweet Tarts - the kind that made your tongue bleed. It's no wonder I didn't go into a diabetic coma.

Once I had my little paper sack full of sugary goodness, I'd walk a block over to the library and load up on books. They'd only let me get four, but that was about as many as I could carry! I'd plod up three blocks to 909 Poplar, where my grandparents lived. Momo would be watching her soap opera - sitting in her wingback chair. If I was lucky she'd get me an RC Cola (I'm not sure why they didn't like Coke or Pepsi), and some ice milk with Hersey Syrup from a can. Yum.

If Bubba wasn't home (he was often out putzing around the county), I might entertain myself by looking at books in the bookshelf that was built into the wall as you walked up to the scary attic. (It was scary because I was told the insulation could kill me - I thought if I stepped in it I would sink like quicksand...I know now I was probably asbestos-containing). When Bub got home, he'd drive me up Chestnut Street to our house, where I could lay on my twin bed with a reading light and eat my candy and read. Or I could sit in our formal living room that nobody used...except when Mom had bridge club. Oh, and Betsy used it for tumbling. Cindy practiced cheerleading there, and we put our Christmas tree there too. Don't get me wrong - I wasn't a total bookworm! I liked to get out and do stuff - but just like these days, I can pick up a book almost any time and be a happy girl!

My other book memories are -

• Mrs. Tibben (4th grade) and Mrs. Kluever (5th grade) reading to us after lunch - I fell in love with listening to stories thanks to them. The Secret Garden is one of my all time faves from that era.
• My Aunt Jean gave my Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (aka Willy Wonka) which also became a beloved book of mine.
• When I went to Junior High, the library there opened up my world to a new genre of book - the "Young Reader". Gwen Kluever was the librarian - she was a friend of mom's. I was a little embarrassed but still found a way to check out "My Darling My Hamburger" and other books that clued me in on what teens my age were doing and thinking (I was quite naive). Heady stuff!
• In High School, I took a course where I got points for the books I read - with more points for classics. This was when I read books like 1984.

Deb with Thea

I can't think about books without thinking of my friend Thea Applegate who passed away just over a year ago. I met her through book club more than ten years ago, and we grew to be close friends through the years. I've thought of her often this past year, and miss her laugh and her insight. She was a social worker, and was very good at reading situations and people. She also was great seeing humor in her own laugh. Here's to you booklover lady.

Want to shout out to my former book club mate (and St. Malachy mom and sports mom mate) Barb Coenen as well. Barb donated a kidney this week to a stranger, as part of a deal to allow someone she knows from Creston to get a new kidney. I've known Barb for over 20 years - she volunteers for Appalachia Service Project and makes people happy with scrapbooking. I'm proud to say she's a friend!

I went to the West DM library today to refill my supply. I get a little jittery when I'm out - books are like crack to me! I started reading a book tonight called "No Regrets Coyote". I noticed on the cover it says "A novel so good you will want to throw a party for it" - it's a quote from one of my other fave authors, Dennis Lahane (of Shutter Island fame). Liked that!

I'm going to read now...

A week of sadness

Thea-self-photo

I got a call from Thea's phone Monday. I was surprised when it wasn't Thea on the phone but Jan Lesan reporting Thea was entering hospice at Creston Hospital. How quickly she had gone downhill from when I had just seen her last Saturday! I visited her Thursday. Deb called Friday afternoon to tell me that she passed away at 1:30 p.m.
Thea's obit - she wrote it herself...

I visited my friend Thursday at Creston's Hospice House, which had just re-opened after April tornado damage. I got to meet Thea's only brother, George and sister-in-law - they're from Harlan. I'd heard about them a great deal through the years. It was nice to finally talk to them.

Three of Thea's AEA friends were there too. Thea seemed to be resting comfortably, she didn't open her eyes while I was there. We stood around and exchanged happy Thea memories - I felt a need to explain how important she has been in my life. How Book Club friends were important to her too. Vidette did much of T's shopping and shared Thanksgiving with her this last year. Dianne took her to many of her appointments. Deb and I visited and helped as we could.

I told a couple stories from book club that I enjoy remembering. We always got off topic when discussing the assigned book - especially when it wasn't such a great book. That's one thing I enjoy about this great group of women. One time we were talking about birds. Baby birds. Thea discovered a nest of them on her big front porch.

This is Thea's awesome home with a great front porch

 Then one day after the eggs hatched, one chick had fell out of the nest. Thea - softee that she was, decided she'd place it back in. She put on gloves and gently picked it up, raising it slowly towards its siblings in the nest - when the remaining chicks all panicked and began bailing out! She was beside herself! The more she tried to help the worse it got - I can just see her now. Her telling of the story was very dramatic and humorous. We also had many a discussion about bats.  With "This Old House" Thea had to call the "bat" guy to help her rid her home of them. That topic always brought about some great stories.

Deb and I always chuckle about the time we read a book that had ghosts in it and Francie, who is prone to dramatics, thought her deceased father was reaching out to her through her DVR, each night at the same time. Francie is also a great storyteller but usually makes a long story longer. Thea said, "I think the company re-programs them then." Totally innocently, but bursting Francie's ghostly bubble.

Thea never married, but she'd had boyfriends through the years - some serious. In her younger years she was called Cindy, or Cynthia. But she changed it like others who, sometimes to the chagrin of their families, want to like their names. She wanted to be Thea. I bet it was hard for George not to call her Cindy...

I'm going on vacation this week. So I'll miss Thea's services. I guess I'm not all that sad about that...though she set it up herself and wrote her own obit a couple weeks ago. So like her, she took care of herself. She had Vidette read over her obit. The girl was preparing to go. I'm glad she's no longer suffering. But I'm sad for me. Until later my friend - enjoy the big pool wherever you are, with Oreo, your dog (I teased you by calling her Hydrox) and a good book.

On another sad note, an Atlantic classmate, Tom Sandhorst passed away. He had been diagnosed with bladder cancer just 3 or 4 weeks ago. He was married to another classmate Connie Swanson. Tom was the son of my piano teacher.  He had been a schoolmate since kindergarten. Tom was one of those guys who was a steady Eddie - never mean or loud, just reliable. Thoughts and prayers to your family Tom - a good guy!
Tom's Obit

Thea needs your help

Deb with Thea - healthier times

I visited my friend Thea yesterday. When I stopped at her home, I saw a van in the driveway and assumed another friend was there visiting too. So I knocked and went on in the side door as I always do. I'm sure my jaw dropped when I saw...or didn't see Thea in her usual spot (at least since her illness was diagnosed) *see information about Thea's diagnosis of kidney cancer and multiple myeloma - blog http://lgoldcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-brave-friend-thea.html

In recent months, the besides medical appointments Thea has become more housebound. So when I saw all her stuff gone ...my first thought was "Thea's been robbed!" But I knew I'd just spoken to her on the phone. So that wasn't it!

I wandered back out toward the voice I'd heard on my way in the door. I found Jan Lesan, Thea's good friend and Amy's former 7/8th grade volleyball coach. She was working around T's above ground pool. Jan explained that Thea had moved to Creston's Assisted Living building on Prairie Street. It made sense to me - when I'd seen Thea last she had just come back from the hospital where she had been placed on oxygen. I worried about her being alone in a big house all by herself.

Prairie View is very similar to the assisted living facility my dad lived in right after his stroke - very nice

The fact that Thea has so many good friends in Creston says so much about her. She's lived here just over ten years I believe. Her former AEA (employer Education Association where she was a social worker, which on a side note just blew down in the tornado this spring) co-workers moved her furniture to Prairie View. Book Club friends had been helping her get to appointments and with groceries. I've done a bit on weekends but need to do better.

Thea's room is lovely - in fact it's 2 rooms and a bathroom. She's got her fave things there and round the clock help if needed, which puts my mind at ease. I don't like the sound of her cough and lungs. She continues to battle the evil cancer with weekly chemo treatments. She's a fighter, that T!

I'm so proud that she's my friend! Of course as a social worker (and a good SW Iowa girl - from Avoca) she's all about people. So caring, compassionate and concerned about each and every student and person she ever worked with or for - along with each friend. And she's smart as hell.

But she needs your help again. Please put out those prayers, good karma - crossed fingers. Whatever you've got! Let's surround Thea with our loving thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

I'm such a freakin' baby

And it makes me mad! Geeeez. My friend Thea is battling cancer - 2 kinds! And I'm all down in the dumps about shoulder pain. What a wimp.

Thea tells me she's starting a new regimen of chemo now. You may recall she has multiple myeloma and kidney cancer. F'n stuff. She just got out of the hospital again - after getting a port put in to drain her lung. Yet when people visit she remains upbeat. What a lady!

Me? I went through the removal of Imelda, my unusual tumor last February. She (a tiny painful blob) was in my left elbow. Then in March I started feeling pain in my right shoulder. What the hell? Is it from my Wii workout routine? I have no idea. But the thing continues to get more and more painful.

A few weeks ago I broke down and saw Sheryl Young ARNP about it. She set me up with Geri the Physical Therapist. I was sure I was on the road to recovery, But so far not...it's still damn sore. My shoulder blade is winging out. Geri says I need to retrain it and tuck it back in. (Geri and fam love hot air balloons and therefore Creston and Balloon Days).

Last week I broke down and called Sheryl again, complaining about the constant pain. She agreed to give me a steroid shot on Thursday. Once I got the shot, I felt immediate relief - at least right at the site of the shot. Movements that had hurt before were not painful. Other parts of my arm still hurt but not the back of my shoulder.

At least until I decided to ride my bike. I could have sat around all weekend - and maybe I'd still feel better. But I was happy to ride my bike with Paul. Until later, when the should began hurting. And it's hurt ever since. So now I've had an XRay, which showed nothing, and I'm set up to see a surgeon in a couple weeks. Good thing too cuz I felt half queasy today due to pain. And mad. What a wienie!

Digging Book Chicks

Some months I think, "It's a hassle, maybe I should just skip book club". Then I attend, and remember why I enjoy it so. This month we met at A&G Lounge downtown, with eight people in attendance.

I was supposed to pick up Thea, on my way. You may recall she has often been our hostess with the mostess. I've written in this blog about Thea's cancer battle - myeloma. Bitch of a disease. I checked my email right before heading out the door and discovered she was not feeling up to a meeting. ;>(. But she did email her comments on the book. Room by Emma Donoghue. No substitute for her warm and caring personality, but the note would have to do, to share with the group.

I picked up my buddy Deb on my way downtown, and we laid claim to a table in the back of the bar at A&G and ordered a couple drinks - she a hot chocolate/schnapps and I a vodka/cranberry. Gradually the rest of this eclectic group began to gather.

Deb and I started the group back in the early 2000's. Thea was an original member too. Many women have come and gone through the group since then. Most (besides Deb) are not people I would have had occasion to hang out with. But I've truly enjoyed getting to know these women who share my love of books.

This month, our selection, Room, elicited excellent discussion. It's a novel, but was written along the lines of the Jaycee Dugard story - the girl who was kidnapped and held for 18 years or so, having a couple children with her captor. Kidnapping stories creep me out - so the captivity portion was tough to read. I sped read through it. Thea had given me a preview that the escape was worth it - so I forged on.

I'm always amazed at the insight and intelligence of the group members. Book questions can sometimes bring out personal stories and thoughts - almost therapeutic if you ask me. We laugh, we share both happy and painful memories. Sometimes some of us even pontificate a bit. That's when I try to break in with a smartass joke to break things up. If we all thought the book was bad, we just talk about current events or other books we've read, movies, our jobs, and families. It's all on the table.

Last night, newer member, Amber, took it upon herself to bring background information about how and why the author wrote the book - through the eyes of a five year old boy. I had one list of discussion questions and Amber had a whole different list. Each member took turns picking questions to read.

Through the years, some of the women attending Book Club have started out a little shy - rarely chiming in. Others are rather outspoken. As the unofficial leader, I always try to make sure everyone gets a chance to weigh in on questions. I've enjoyed seeing friendships grow within the group! Several of the people now hang out - outside of club meetings. Members have been wonderful about supporting Thea through her illness, which warms my heart. I know T would be doing the same if roles were reversed. I also like to think of those of us who are older..or let's say, more experienced, serve as role models for the younger women. 

Room isn't a book I would have read on my own. I pushed myself to read it - which is good. We should get out of our comfort zones. Hanging out with smart women who are not my usual buddies is good too!  Viva la reading and Book Chicks!

My Brave friend Thea



Deb and Thea Christmas 2010

She's as brave as any of the characters we've read about in all the many books we've read in the past ten years since I've known her. Thea was the first person to contact me ten years ago when I put up that poster at Creston Public Library (aka Matilda Gibson) proclaiming that I was starting a book discussion group. She was interested...and better yet, she volunteered to host it! Her hosting gig ended up being permanent - just like our friendship!

My longtime (I'm not saying old) buddy Deb and I had pined for such a group In town. One where we could meet to discuss books with fellow book lovers. When no such group appeared...besides the stuffy sounding group that posted minutes in the local paper, we decided to start our own. We nearly always pick out and order books from an online list of multiple books the state library hosts. Everybody in our group can suggest titles and we usually have a core group of 6 or 8 people participating. Let's not forget Thea's three dogs - Peaches, Lucy and Mitzi. (Oreo, whom I used to call Hydrox, RIP).

Thea moved to Creston to work at the Area Education Agency as a social worker in area schools, a career she retired from in 2010. Last spring she had a bum knee replaced and was rehabbing at a local physical therapy center. She began to notice pain in other areas of her body and the therapist recognized the pain was not a normal part of recovery from this type of surgery. Several doctor's appointments and medical tests later, she was diagnosed with myeloma - cancer of the plasma cells.

Crap! That isn't the way it should go...somebody retires and then gets sick. Thea decided to go to Mayo Clinic in Rochester for a second opinion. Their diagnosis - multiple myeloma and they discovered a cancerous tumor on one of her kidneys that needed to come out. She had surgery to remove it - the kidney. In the meantime, the myeloma has taken a toll on her bones - causing a great deal of pain. She needed to start treatment to knock the cancer back. Thea started chemo treatments as soon as she could, followed by radiation - which really zapped her!

The cancer has taken its toll on Thea's lifestyle. It has made it hard for her to get around. She lives in a big rambling brick 2 story home, and she's taken some steps to make her home more livable for her and the dogs. A doggy door has been installed for the "girls" so they can access the fenced in back yard all on their own. Her house has been arranged so that she can get around with her walker.

It can't be easy, facing that f'ing disease. And Thea does not have relatives in town - though her brother lives in Harlan. She's fortunate that since she's such a swell lady, she's developed a great network friends here in town. Still...it has to be hard. She has to have some hard times. Down times.

I've been to see her a few times - to take food and to help around the house a bit. During those times, Thea has been a champ - what an attitude!
As brave as
1,000 White Women
who have lived in
The Red Tent
and Angry Housewives Eating BonBons
(all books we have read and loved)
So all of you out there- in prayer and good thoughts land - please break out the good stuff for my brave pal Thea. She deserves the best!

Twenty niner and helping Thea pack

Me with my bestest friend

It's our anniversary today - twenty nine years! Argh and yay! I mean - I can't believe I'm old enough to have been married that long, and wow. I'm so lucky to have chosen wisely - a guy who puts up with me and that is fun, and I can put up with too. That's saying a lot. There's such comfort and friendship to a marriage of 29 years.

I'm not sure I thought about all of that when I got married. I was really just more carried away with the whole - "what do I do now?" thing. I had been dating Paul for a while -we enjoyed the same stuff. I didn't foresee what life would be life 29 years later though...when I was old and wrinkly. Sometimes crabby, but a great deal wiser than I was at 24. I'm a lucky girl to be betrothed to Paul Goldsmith!

We didn't do anything too wild this weekend to celebrate. Last night we went to 5:15 Mass, then met Deb at A&G for supper. They were serving Hurricane drinks in honor of Irene - tasty but strong! And they had a prime rib special for $15 - quite good. Gaylord's Opryland should import the cook. We enjoyed catching up with Deb on what she's been up to. Larry was busy covering a sports activity so he couldn't join us.

I did get a cool anniversary gift - a Barnes and Nobe Nook e-reader! I picked it out myself, and lo and behold they had them at Wal-Mart I discovered when we shopped there today. I got Paul a hunting trip in Colorado! (he's planning a trip there in September). Woowee - don't we know just what each other wants!

We were home early, surfing the net and watching TV. Woowee - the excitement! But we've had quite the traveling week, so a quiet night at home was a treat. Odie is enjoying having us here.

Saturday afternoon Deb and I spent some time with our friend Thea, who has been diagnosed with Myeloma, which is cancer of the bone marrow. Thea retired from her job at the Area Education Association in 2010, and had been working part time at Graceland College when she had her knee joint replaced this spring. It was during physical therapy that she and the therapists noticed problems with recovery. Life sure threw her a loop!

Deb left, with Thea on the right

So I took Odie along to provide some Odie lovin' (though she was a lil pre-occupied with Thea's doggies), and we sat on the deck to catch up a bit. Then Pablo the pool by came to pick Odie up - and he to sat by the pool on the deck for a bit. We did a few chores around the house and helped Thea pack for a trip to Mayo Clinic. She's wisely getting a second opinion there, along with getting suggestions for a treatment plan.  Thea's brother is taking her, and will spend three days in Rochester with her - a nice bonding time for siblings. That's what family is for! Prayers requested for Thea as she battles the evil C word!

Life is so good

My book homies came through again - even though I didn't get the book read. This month's selection was "Life Is So Good", recommended to me in January by my masseuse, a magician with her hands and a good book recommender! 

I didn't want to take a library book with me to Florida. (I know waa waa - play the little violin). So I just got it last Saturday - and I was already in the middle of a good book. I did take "Life" along to DSM with me this week, but only read about half.

Our book club - Book Chicks, meets once a month. Thea, mostly permanent hostess with the mostess. It was a small group last night, but even so, meetings are always a bit like therapy for my little own self! We laugh, we tell about personal experiences and talk about our hopes and fears. Stuff I don't get to do much in DSM during the week.

When Deb and I got there, we let one of Thea's trio of dogs out first thing! I couldn't remember her name to call her back to the house. (It's Mitzi but I was calling her Oreo - who has unfortunately passed on to the big doghouse in the sky). When Oreo was alive, I always called her Hydrox (they were much tastier in my view). After a bit, I tracked her down and returned her to the menagerie with her 2 doggie sissies.

In attendance were Diane, Vidette, Francie, Deb and me. I was lucky (thanks Google) to come up with a list of questions for the book. Life is about a black man who lived to be over 100, yet didn't learn to read until he was 98 or something (I didn't get to that part yet in my reading). Frankly, I was enjoying the book, but it wasn't gripping so was willing to give up on finishing - but the gang urged me to complete it. They enjoyed it.

George, the hero of the story (it's a true story) is to be much admired. I couldn't help but think about one of our club members as I read the book. Vidette is a black woman - originally from South Carolina, married to a white man who teaches at SWCC. What must it feel like to be black in Creston, Iowa? I wondered how reading about the racism and unfairness would feel to her. It wasn't as if anything in the book was "new" material, but still it had to hurt.

I told her as much. It's really the first opportunity I've ever had to discuss racism with an African American. Vidette is an interesting person - she'll um "call a spade a spade" Can I say that? haha We had a good discussion. She said she took a great deal from Life is So Good. A lesson in turning the other cheek. George was so calm. Vidette is going to try to practice this in dealing with people who don't treat her right for whatever reason. We can all use a bit of that lesson - though we also had the discussion about how as we've all aged, our "mufflers" have rusted out and we speak up more when we feel wronged.

I myself try not to be racist, but was raised in a town that was 99% white. Sometimes it takes effort not to resort to old thought habits. I wish skin color didn't even register with me. Maybe someday it won't. I wish I was less judgemental.

The questions about the book were really questions about us - like if you had a book in you, what would it be about? After we finished the questions, we laughed and talked as usual. I love those ladies!

Book Club

Ah Thea - it's just not the same without ya. Thea broke her elbow at work last week - surgery and the whole bit. Way worse than my broken foot. What is it with book club chicks anyway - are we just clumsy?

So Book Club - which is usually at Thea's, was at my place. It's just not the same. For one thing I missed Thea's girls - Peachy, Lucy and Hydrox. The last dog's name really isn't Hydrox- but Thea's old dog's name was Oreo (she, umm passed away) and T got a pound dog but I can't ever remember her real name - it might be Mimi. Or something.

And Thea is one of the original Book Club chicks. Club just isn't the same without her smiling face and her great laugh! I missed her. Vidette, Francie, Dianne, Angie and Deb made it and we had good discussion about the book. Odie loved having all those women here and got out nearly every one of her toys, and enjoyed trying to french kiss each of the girls.

I hope Thea has recovered enough next month - and is used to "winging it" with one arm for club next time. Heal fast Thea!

Tired

I'm vewwy vewwy tired. That's what a little girl I know said about her dad when he had a terrible hangover. She's couldn't say Rs very well.

But I don't have a hangover. I just had a busy long day and didn't sleep too well last night, worrying about my busy long day to come.

I went on a road trip to Lake Mills after 2 department meetings this a.m. Kathleen went along so we passed the time chatting. I drove both ways. I didn't get regular meals. I'm a bit out of sorts and crabby.

I'm going to bed. I like what my friend Thea put in her Facebook post - like Cathy in cartoons used to say. Accck! (not sure of spelling)

The good news? I'm going home at noon tomorrow! My honey vacuumed.