AZDonna

Yes, it’s true! Robin has a new blog. Let’s all give her a big cheer as we welcome her back to the blog world. Yay Robin! We’re so happy!!!

When Glenda and I took our big road trip, we took along six or eight audio books to listen to in the car. We have become addicted! Now I rarely listen to the radio anymore. I’m always listening to books; in the car, on my walks, and sometimes while I work. I get them from the library.

Since my 2000 Accord only has a tape deck, I had made my way through a large percentage of the books on tape from both the Mesa and Chandler libraries. When Robin gave me my iPod last spring, I started checking out audio books on CD, ripping them to iTunes and downloading them to my iPod. As soon as I have finished listening to a book, I delete it from my iPod and return the CDs to the library.

Some of my recent favorites are Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver, The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, all the Miss Julia books by Ann B. Ross, and The Last Promise by Richard Paul Evans. I just checked out my longest one ever: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. It’s 32 CDs and 41 hours. It’ll probably take me a few weeks to get through it.

If you haven’t discovered the joy of listening to books, I highly recommend it.

I was reading a friend’s blog today and she had posted about a website where you can turn your blog into a book. She has downloaded 54 pages of her blog and is having her very own book made! It sounds like a fun idea, especially for topical entries. Richard & Dianna, your Alaska trip would make a great book!

I flew up to Boise on Thursday night. Megan had her annual dance recital this weekend, and I try to go every year. I missed the ballet portion, but saw the tap recital. She improves every year, and this year’s dance to “Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” was really cute. She’s going to give Shirley Temple a run for her money.

I arrived at 10:30 p.m. and when Robin pulled up in front of the airport terminal, Megan was sitting in the back seat! She’s on one of her [year-round] school breaks, and wanted to come to the airport to meet Grandma. I almost didn’t recognize her because she was wearing … wait for it … glasses! We knew it would come sooner or later, with the Lafferty/Holsinger eyes she has inherited. She’s about four years earlier than her mom’s venture into corrective lenses. Fortunately, the frames nowadays are true fashion accessories, and she looks darling in hers.

Not to be outdone in the fashion dept, Steven was sporting staples in his scalp. Last Tuesday night he missed missing the stair handrail and made a big gouge above his temple. A trip to the urgent care center and a few staples later, and he was on his way home to show off his new accessory. He’s been proudly displaying them to anyone who cares to look … and anyone who doesn’t.

It appears a good part of the country got rain this past weekend, and Boise was no exception. It was refreshingly cool on Friday with overcast skies and a few sprinkles. Saturday and Sunday were b-e-a-utiful, and we enjoyed the days. Monday started out fine, and I got some photos of the kids in the backyard.

Then a late afternoon storm rolled in and my flight took off through dark clouds and rain. I had a quick layover in Denver (and I do mean QUICK! I had to run to my connecting flight and was the last one to board) where it was pouring cats and dogs. Phoenix was warm and clear when I landed at 9:20 p.m.

Speaking with Carrie yesterday, she informed me Lauren has had nine (count ’em – 9!) nights in a row without a seizure! Hooray! They appear to be slowing down and she’s doing better. She has been doing water therapy and really loves being in the pool. They are waiting for some test results on her immune system to come back to see if she is ready to go back to L.I.F.E. I know Carrie is ready to get back to her work routine, but has been very thankful for all the help she has had these past three months. Mostly, we all just want to see Lauren better and stronger.

It was back to work on Tuesday. I always say the second best thing about a three day weekend is a four day week. It can’t go fast enough!

Being the road trip lover that I am, I’ve been fascinated by this. Glenda and I would love to try it. But we’d like to take about five months, not five days.

Not too much going on in my life lately to warrant a blog entry. Spring is here in full force with evidence of summer just ahead. We haven’t quite hit triple digit temperatures yet, but they are close, I’m sure.

L.I.F.E. held it’s Second Annual Golf Tournament, and raised about $60,000, which was $20K more than last year. I took the day off work to help care for Lauren and Nathan since Brian and Carrie were at the golf course all day long. I spent the night, and slept with Lauren. Rather, I laid in bed with Lauren. No sleeping. She had a dozen “seizures” before 2:30 a.m., when Carrie came in to switch places with me. She settled down a bit after that, since Carrie knew better than me how to hold her and ward off the severe tremors.

Things have settled down at work, and no one has turned in a resignation for a couple of months. I’m working on a project that will tape out in about two more weeks. I’m afraid I’m going to be assigned to grunt work for a while after that, but hopefully something interesting and challenging will come my way soon. I have heard through the grapevine that Intel may open a few more requisitions, so I will have to seriously consider if I want to apply or stay at Marvell and hope for a financial explosion. Management still thinks the stock is going to do well this coming year. We celebrated the one millionth Monahans shipment this week. Monahans is in several cell phones, blackberries and GPS systems, and I drew part of it. You can thank me as you navigate the city streets, call your friends, or check your email. They also settled the recent SEC investigation this week with a $10M payment.

I’ve been to the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater with Jan and Glenda twice lately. We saw Hello Dolly on my birthday, and the Buddy Holly Story for Glenda’s birthday. Loved Hello Dolly; didn’t care so much for Buddy Holly.

I’m taking a trip up to Boise over Memorial Day weekend. Megan has her annual ballet/tap recital that weekend, and I try to attend every year. We usually celebrate her birthday (9! this year!) and Mother’s Day when I am there.

Everyone’s talk of cruises this year has spiked my longing to do one. Glenda and I are considering trying one out sometime in July. Neither of us has ever been on a ship. I think we might try a 4 day cruise to Baja as our maiden voyage.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. I’m going to take Mom out for breakfast. Brian and Carrie have been out of town (more on that in a future post) so I probably won’t get with them until next weekend. Happy Mother’s Day to Mom and to all my special friends and family who are mothers.