Kate Kinsella: The Literary Goddess

This is Gustavo and Beth, before the presentation begain.

This is Kate Kinsella, she took a minute to have a picture taken with me before her presentation.

With my new dark hair color I'm going to have to quit buying and wearing beige!

The Assistant Superintendent, Debra Gonzales, introduced Kate.

Kate gave a 3 hour presentation to over 300 people.

Standing Man

Landmark called "Standing Man."




Bob got a boat for us on his day off. Isn't he looking great? He has lost weight this summer. Must be the heat...



We went to a place called Gypsum Cove. It may not look like much, but the water is 200 feet deep right off of the shore and if you step into the mud it is like quicksand. Course the "rocks" are all sharp like glass, so it was not Sissy's favorite spot.

We joined Melody and Wayne for lunch at "Wedding Cove." It is a large cove with beautiful, white sandy beach and shallow water. Wayne and Melody are getting married here on Oct. 2.

Of course all good things must come to an end. The next day Bob was back to work.

This is a typical picture...Bob working, his co-workers Lenny and Terry looking on.

Birthday Boy

Melody and Wayne

Bob works with a guy named Wayne. While I was working in Vegas, I got to stay at Temple Bar with Bob. Wayne had a birthday during that week, so I brought him an ice cream cake. YUMMY!

A Week in Vegas

Most people go to Vegas to play in the sun or the casinos. I went to work with my new boss, Jen.

I find myself BACK in Clark County.

Like the song says, "you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave."

My Wonderful Boss

This is my "big" boss. She lives in Burbank but this was one of those rare weekend in July where she got to see her husband. (they met in San Fran) When I met her she said, " Hi, I'm Tasia, "glad ta see ya." Great way to remember how to say her name.

Into the Storm

Notice I chose the back of the plane on the return flight. Not the greatest idea unless you like carnival rides that whip you from side to side.

Notice that the pilots "shut" their doors. I think it was so we couldn't see the weather we were flying into. Course I noticed the puffy clouds outside the window and anyone that lives through desert thunderstorms recognizes a storm building.

Sure enough we got to fly into a "squall." Then the carnival ride changed to a roller coaster. I tell ya these puddle jumpers sure give you your money's worth.

Grand Canyon

One advantage to the flight from Page to Phoenix was the "free" ride over the Grand Canyon.

Wow! What a different perspective. It really gives you a sense of how HUGE it really is. Mother Nature is impressive.

Traveling to Page

I would have said on the road again....but it was actually "in the air."

I had to use an unknown airline called "great lakes."

You can see it is not the most popular airline.

I felt like telling them "YOUR KIDDING!" when I saw the tiny plane.

Down this tiny aisle is indeed the pilot and co-pilot. You could watch them setting dials, adjusting levers.

On the ground is Phoenix. On my return flight I will NOT sit over the wing, too unnerving and LOUD.

Bisbee

Jan and I got to go to Bisbee to put on a presentation.
We enjoyed the evening outside on the balcony of the Copper Queen.


Bisbee is a quaint old town.

Thank goodness there were no ghost in the Copper Queen, but there was this neat clawfoot tub.

AVIS

Our Nissan is given me fits so I went to AVIS and rented a car.
It's pretty bad when the rental car guy knows your voice on the phone!

Anniversary

Bob came home and surprised me with a beautiful bouquet for our anniversary.



Course I surprised him with my new hair color ( I think it's going to take him a bit to adjust to the new me) and a new look for the bed. I call it "pretty bed." He calls it "queen of Sheba." I told him my mother always had a "pretty bed." In fact, my folks are holding a very special quilt for me until I am without a dog and can keep something handmade in pristine condition. I have known my mom to hang quilts on the wall. If I even get a "permanent" house I intend to make a wall hanging out of the quilt my mom and dad made for me.

Norma has a brand new job.....

The Lord works in mysterious ways....I was given a Reduction in Force notice at the end of the year with TUSD, and found myself out of a job. July 1 I was working for a company called Scholastic. Remember Weekly Reader? I'm sure most of us do since the company has been around since 1920 Some of the many boxes the company sent to me. Scholastic gets the best motels. I love the glass flowers in this hotel.

I've also met some new friends.

This is Denise (from Chicago) Terica (from Alabama)

This is Monique (from LA). Finally someone on the WEST coast that is also new to all of this!

This is my friend and mentor, Jan. She has been helping me get started. It turns out we are very nearly related. My dad's best friend through HS is her 1st cousin! I used to get Dr. Pepper from her uncle's store in Carbon!!

Oh and one more thing. I decided since I had a new job, I'd have a "whole new me." Course the picture is a "self portrait" which is always interesting.