Sunday, December 28, 2014

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year All

Hi All,
I'm taking a few minutes to write during the Holiday weekend between Christmas and New Years.

I had a peaceful Christmas day in Minneapolis MN in my apartment enjoying some TV, the decorations I have up and a walk in the neighborhood.

I'll add the photos from my iPhone at the end.  I'm using my iPad to type in the text which doesn't have all my recent photos available to Safari to upload into blogger.  I'd rather have some extra work if I can eliminate some data charges which seems to be happening and I'm not sure exactly why.  Verizon has an app but it doesn't directly tell you how the charges come into being so experiementing on which ways I post pictures costs the least:)  So true that there's no free lunches.  So even though we now have a much cheaper way to create photos with iPhone we don't necessary have a cheap way to share the photos with others.  When I work it out I'll be sure to blog about it.

I've been keeping up with eatting as a fuel even through the Holiday.  I'm happy to do my 30 minutes of moving every day too.  For the most part I'm feeling well and working toward my goals of living more healthy and completing my work's end of year projects.

I've found some fulfilling experiences working with others to help out others not as fortunate in the community through work and where I live.  Sometimes you have to take care of business at home too so I've been working through those issues as well.

Vacation at home has been good too.  I really enjor getting pictures hung, cleaning and replacing light bulbs I can reach.  I'm glad I have an apartment maintenance staff to get the ones I can't reach.  Its good to have a place that has maintenance included - well worth the rent.

I was a little down about the lack of snow on Christmas Day but we did get some snow flakes that made up for the lack on the ground.  Now we have 3 inches or so with cooler temps which is what works best for me in the Winter for my allergies.

I'm about out of vacation now so will be working over New Years but it will be good to work from home over part of the time and a great chance to catch up with paperwork assignments.  I'm hoping to do more posting on my Blogs in 2015.  Blog writing is important to me and I enjoy supporting authors with book reviews so I'll be focusing more on that and less on socializing.  I can still do some but will be looking for opportunities on the weekend for card play or hobby/art expression.  My eyes get too tired after working all day to do justice to drawing and hobbies for sure:)

Life is about making the most out of the opportunities that work best for you.  Hold out for the experiences that fulfill you - its worth the effort to keep looking until you find the right fit and don't leave the good fits behind to find a new one - keep a balance.

Hope everyone in blog world had a very Merry Christmas and that the good will continues into the New Year celebrations.  Peace.

Missy


















Sunday, November 30, 2014

My Fall Vacation October-November 2014 - Day 3 November 1

Day 3 was the day of Nora Robert's Book Signing Event at Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe
Day started early to get in line for tickets.  This helps keep the signing portion of the event organized.

View of the line some brought a chair and all dressed warm Boonsboro is cold but South Mountain State Park is cooler at

Elev 1736 ft 39.65 °N, 77.51 °W


2 more friends I met in line - Denise and Jennifer - now friends on Facebook.

Met a new friend in book signing line, Becky

View of the line for getting tickets for the book signing
Area the line trails through to get us to the authors

Another angle of the books on offer at the book signing.

Books on offer from the authors signing at the event.

Went to this place to shop - love the merchandise.

Friend I made in line took this picture.

Piper in action - lovely music - I'll publish some of the songs on YouTube

Enjoyed the Piper for hire that Nora Roberts Book signing event provided for the fans standing in line.  Thank you.

Pat Donohue Thanks for the chat and signature and writing this story from the Civil War.

Anne Barton and Cara Connelley

Brenda Novak - Thanks for the signature

Brenda's Husband took this picture.  Thank you.

Thanks Donna Kauffman, love your books:)

Thanks Kristan Higgins for the signature and lovely picture.  Love your writing.

Thanks, Marie Force for the signatures and the great stories. 

Thank you Nora Roberts for the signature and hosting this book signing event at your Husband's bookstore Turn the Page Bookstore Cafe.  Thanks too to Laura for picture and Janeen Solberg welcome made my day:)  Loved every moment of the book signing event and my visit to Boonsboro Maryland. 
Find out more about the December 6th Book Signing event at December 6th Book Signing Event Details from TTPBooks.com

Friday, November 7, 2014

My Fall Vacation October-November 2014 - Day 2

October 31, 2014 - Halloween in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia

A friend I met at the July, 2013 Nora Roberts Book Signing met me at the park and ride for Harper's Ferry just a little bit outside of Boonsboro MD

We drove about 18 miles to the West Virginia State Park.




The above pictures were taken at the lot where the shuttle picks up visitor's to Harper's Ferry.


The shuttle had a recorded message describing the history of the surroundings going by as we headed to Harper's Ferry the picture above and those following were taken from the shuttle.






Here are some links to history of Harper's Ferry:
http://www.nps.gov/hafe/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpers_Ferry,_West_Virginia

Here's some pictures from our walk about town.

















Loved this tree - hard to get it all in one picture.


















Eva and I at Jefferson's rock - I used the timer on my iPhone.

Long hike up but small price for a wonderful view

Rest room wreath - beautiful and they had good salads too.

Lovely Fall Colors



The trip back to Boonsboro was quick even though we traveled through West Virginia, and Virginia it was only 18 miles.  The last pictures were taken from the car on the return trip.




After we arrived at the Boonsboro park and ride Eva had to go home to prepare for her trip to South Dakota and I went on a shopping expedition at Olde Homestead and Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe links are here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Olde-Homestead/234966193272631
Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe FB Page
Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe Website




Olde Homestead has excellent merchandise.  I found many great additions to my apartment decorations.  I'll post them on a page on my Picture Blog - more to follow on FB.

Here's my ultimate destination - Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe that hosted the November 1st Book Signing Event for Nora Roberts next one will be on December 6th.



Books ready for buying and signing


Get your hard copy for a limited time - this is the first book in the In Death Series

Check out the history of Maryland and surrounding area.





More than just books at this store:)





Key ring that changes from Nora Roberts (NR) to JD Robb - it spins









My Dinner favorite Dan's Restaurant and Tap House








Excellent salad and Fruit Juice drink



Dan's after dark


Kristi's Bakery Cafe

Inn Boonsboro beautiful after dark