NEW YORK - DAY ONE

So we're here and this place is absolutely amazing!  I actually found myself wiping away tears upon on our landing at LGA.  The view from our side of the plane was spectacular.  I'm totally in love with New York and I have this overwhelming urge to actually move here.  Can you imagine that?  Me!  I want to move to New York?

Our cab driver, Amm Hasahm, was the nicest family man I've ever met.  He's been a cab drive in New York for 20 years and told us some great stories about his time here.  He is from Bangladesh and loves living in America.  He actually went back to his home after his first ten years, but then decided to return.  He told us he took a road trip with his friends a few years ago and spent two weeks visiting places like Chicago, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and of course places like Canada and the Niagara Falls. Amm just seems so kind.  I really wanted to pull out my camera and take a picture, but I'm not sure people in New York are going to be good with stuff like that.  I did however meet these great college kids from LA on their first trip to New York and I bet if I had asked, they would have had no problem with my picture taking,  especially since the one lady had the coolest luggage on the planet.  We hit off from the beginning. I really like meeting people.  My only regret thus far is not asking if they were on Twitter.  Well, maybe I'll remember that next time.

Other cool things- we changed planes in Chicago today.  I had the best view of the skyline.  Chicago is a beautiful city and I really can't wait to mark that off my list of places to see and explore.  Our hotel isn't in a bad place and it is really nice with free wireless!!!  Jaime, our hotel guy, is really super kind.  I really like him and if he is here tomorrow night I might just take his picture!!! Thank you Ellis, my love, for letting me borrow your little notebook.  It is sooo cute and I totally love it. 

Well, we're going to check out the maps and plan our activities for tomorrow.  Tomorrow I am going to the Lee Child book signings.  I'm hoping that the weeping I experienced today doesn't carry over to tomorrow.  The last thing I want to do is break down in tears like an Elvis groupie!  Just one question...should I attend both book signings?  I'm thinking yes since Lee Child is the reason for this little New York vacation, but I don't want to come across as a crazy chick.  Oh, who  cares!  At least I'm a cute crazy chick.  It could be worse, right?

I better sign off for now.  We just checked the room for bedbugs.  We're clear!  Richard scored a pack of cigarettes under the bed...now, if only we smoked!  Love to you all!  Sabrina O.

A Life With No Mother

I've often wondered how much different my life might have been if I had been given the opportunity to be raised in a family with both a mother and a father.  Our mother died at the at of 36. She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer shortly after my birth.  I was a day into my third year when she passed away and it was a tragedy that my father and older siblings never recovered from.   My father struggled with alcoholism and tried desperately to keep his family together.  Our father worked for an ocean towing company and wasn't home much of the time.  We were left in the care of abusive housekeepers and on more than one occasion a stepmother.   My two older sisters ran away from home and started having children while in their early teens and my eldest brother became a meth addict. They have all, at one time or another, blamed our lives on the death of our mother.  To this day, the blame is still present.  Our mothers loss, though great, didn't have the same affect on me.  Not having the opportunity to know what it was like to have my mother in my life, I've never shared this reasoning with my siblings.  I've never blamed my failures or disappointments on her death.  Sorry, but there are times in life when things just don't go as we planned.  Most of the time, for me, my own decisions are often the reason for the sorrow at the moment.  But I still wonder. What would it have been like to have a mother to come home to?    Would things really have been that much different?  If  Breast Cancer hadn't taken her life would our parents have remained married or would a divorce  been part of our life instead?  There will always be questions, won't there?

I might not have had my mother around growing up, but I was fortunate to have great friends with great families, and equally great mothers.  I can count on both hands the many women that for both brief and extended times, played the part of mother.  They are women that I cherish and truly love.  I am a much better woman today for having been blessed to have them in my life.  I like to think that my mother is grateful for their influence on me as well.   

So, why all the talk of death and mothers?  Well, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I thought I would debunk some myths about the disease by sharing information from the Breast Cancer Awareness Month website.  The following is taken from their link.

Myth: Only older women get breast cancer

Fact: Although the risk of breast cancer does increase as women age, women of all ages can and do get breast cancer. According to BreastCancer.org, a non-profit that provides up-to-date research and information about breast cancer online, "the risk of getting breast cancer over the course of an entire lifetime is one in seven, with an overall lifetime risk of 14.3 percent."

Myth: Having a risk factor for breast cancer means that you will get the disease

Fact: Women who have risk factors, such as a gene abnormality associated with breast cancer, will not always develop the disease. According to BreastCancer.org, "of women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 inherited genetic abnormality, 40 to 80 percent will develop breast cancer over their lifetime; 20 to 60 percent won't."

Women who change their lifestyle by quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, reducing stress or adding physically and mentally restoring practices such as walking, yoga, meditation or t'ai chi, can significantly reduce their risk of getting breast cancer.

Myth: If a woman doesn't have a history of breast cancer in her family, she won't get it

Fact: About 80 percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no history of the disease in their family. The greatest risk factors women face for getting breast cancer are being female, getting older and being overweight.

I'm a beautiful 40 year old woman that has been having mammograms yearly since I was first suspected of having breast cancer at the age of 25.   Thankfully, the diagnosis was incorrect.   So with all this being written on my very personal blog, I encourage all my female friends and female readers of this blog to do your self exams, see your doctors on a regular basis, and never underestimate the importance of a mammogram.  I'm just asking that you do your part to make sure you are around for many, many years as a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother...  This really is important!

Neglecting My Duties...

As I prepare my house for our leave for New York next week, I'm noticing that I've become very neglectful of my responsibilities.  The laundry is seriously backed up and I have cobwebs forming on my chandelier over the kitchen table. There also seems to be more dust than usual and weeds have sprouted all over the yard.  I was complaining to my husband about the uncleanliness and he simply looked at me, picked up the phone, the newsletter from Joseph Finder, and my newest book for my reading enjoyment then shrugged his shoulders and rolled his eyes.  Richard didn't have to say a word.  I knew exactly what he was thinking because I'm a very smart chick.   Believe it or not, intelligence does lurk behind these beautiful eyes that I believe to be so "Reacher Worthy." 

I'm addicted to reading because I love a good story.  Although my tweets have yet to be proven useful, I'm loving my Twitter time because I'm tweeting with some really great people.   I also love the Facebook thing because I love to see what is happening with the people that I know personally as well as those that I know through blogging  and tweeting.  Now it's just a matter of balancing all of these with my "real" time.  How do I stay caught up on my tweets at work when I'm supposed to be working?  How can I update my Facebook status when I'm supposed to be writing motions and preparing trial subpoenas?  How can I read without it interfering with my time at home with my spouse?  At moments when I'm contemplating these things, I begin to envy my writer friends in Twitter world.  You make life seem so much easier on your side of the tweet.

This week I broke my addiction to all the above things to my supervisor.  She giggled and then offered to enroll me in some Internet intervention thing on A&E.  I'll have you know that just by telling her that I felt I was having a problem helped me to change my behavior at work.  I checked my Twitter status three times today; during break, during lunch, and during my afternoon break.  I was very proud of myself and I didn't even feel like I had missed out on anything.  I even made a couple of new Twitter friends.  I love Twitter friends.  If you catch me at just the right moment you'll hear me refer to them as my Twitter Family.  Ahhhh - So sweet.  I seriously doubt they feel the same.  But, for those of you that know me, does this surprise you?  I can find family in everything these days.  Work, neighborhood, church, Twitter, Facebook, book club, blogging...

I even made some changes at home.  Today, after being inspired by APMonkey on Twitter, I came home and made a delicious meal for my husband.  I even volunteered to bake fresh bread for our book club tomorrow.  Yes, if APMonkey can find time to read, blog, watch sports, and cook serious gourmet meals, than I know I can too. Or, at least give it a try! I didn't even bring a book home to read tonight.  Now that really means something.  My husband was impressed and very appreciative of my new friend on Twitter.  See honey, Twitter friends can be good!

Well, all I can say is I'm doing better.  Yep - I'm writing this as my husband is steam cleaning the carpets in the part of the house that I chose not to do this weekend so I could finish that book I was reading and write a new post for my book blog.  Richard is so patient and kind.  I seriously love this man! Better go bleach my teeth.  I've got to look good for that book signing next week! Hmmm- I guess I'll clean the bathroom while I'm in there. ;)

One Of "those" People -

Are you one of "those" people?  You know who they are.  They are the ones who come to dinner at a restaurant and instead of conversing, they text their way through the meal.  I was at lunch with my friend about six months ago and we saw this really great looking family come in and take a seat at a table next to us.  It was hard not to notice them.  It was the middle of the afternoon in the middle of the week and they were the only family in the place.  One thing, however, became clear.  They weren't there to visit with each other; at least not verbally.  Stephanie and I found the scene so interesting we could hardly focus on our meals let alone our own verbal conversation.  We were fascinated.  All we could do was watch.  We were practically eaves dropping, but without hearing a word of the conversation.  We felt bad about our conduct, but really, we couldn't stop looking at them no matter how hard we tried not to.  You  have to imagine it.  They would be sitting there in complete silence and they would all be focused on their phones.  Then without warning, they would all start laughing at the same time.   It never ended.  Just when we  thought they'd be finished they would chuckle and snort all over again.  It was truly crazy.  Towards the end, we became disgusted.  So much so, that we vowed right then and there to NEVER be "those" kind of people.

As of last month, I am now officially one of "those" people.  Sorry friends, but now that I know what it's all about, I can't promise I'll reverse my broken vow.  I will try much harder to keep my phone in my purse during lunch and to only check Facebook and Twitter in between drink refills and bathroom breaks.  That's about all you're going to get from me right now.  I may commit to more at a later date.  Just don't rush me on this.  Richard has found that the best way to get me off the Facebook and Twitter thing during outings together is to send me a text that requires a response.  It works great.  I suggest this as an alternative to being angry with me.  One text, works best.  Promise!

Driving In the Country



While listening to General Conference on the radio, Richard and I drove through the mountains to get a last look at the Fall colors. It was incredibly beautiful. Along the way we were stopped - as a hundred or so horses were being corralled through a country street to another Ranch. It was the most amazing thing to watch and the horses were so pretty. We also came across some free roaming cows. I love cows. I've loved them ever since I fed a baby calf on the Rood Farm in Coos Bay, Oregon. Richard knows that if we're on a drive and we see some moo moo's that I'm going to have to take a picture. Today was no different. Well, it kind of was. These cows actually seemed to be posing just for me. I took some great shots. In fact, I think I could publish these photos. One looks like a head shot for a Senior Portrait. Too crazy! Another is of a family. The way the little ones are peeking behind their mother is totally adorable. I love them. My only wish is that I was brave enough to take pictures with them. THAT-would be cool!

The Man I Married

I like to think I married the most perfect man.  I stopped thinking that a long time ago and finally admitted openly that I did.  I've never been one to brag much, but sometimes you just have to share what's in your heart.  Today my heart is full of Richard. 

Richard.  I love the sound of that name escaping my lips.  Richard.  Richard. Richard.  He's tall, handsome, and has the most incredible brown eyes.  I spent my whole life just waiting for that one perfect person to come along and love me.  Finally, just when I was about to give up...Richard came along. 

He didn't care about my past.  He wasn't worried that my childhood horrors would interfere with our life.  He never considered me "damaged" like so many others did  because of the things I had been forced to endure at the hands of others.  Richard considered me whole.  He considered me complete.  He says I'm a better person for having survived.  He said it would be a strength in our marriage.  Well, of course, I agree!

We've struggled plenty in our thirteen years of marriage. But we've managed to make the best out of all our trials. Isn't that what marriage is about? When I struggled after my car accident in 1998, Richard and I were able to find the humor in our new life together. I was nicknamed "BabySteps" during the beginning months as I began to regain the strength to walk again. He would assist with my need to find words to complete a sentence, and never seemed to mind that I couldn't remember my married name, or our address, or our phone number. It took me years to even remember our wedding day and when I did, I was begging for a do over! He stood by me when we found out I wasn't able to have children. He didn't fret over my diagnosis of Lupus. He just kept on living. With me. The two of us together. The way it should be.

This past weekend Richard and I hung out at the house together.  We took care of the tasks that most couples with a home take care of.  But this time, as I watched him dig this hole in our yard to repair a sprinkler line that had developed a leak, I smiled.  Richard.  He's strong, knowledgeable, loving, kind, giving, and most importantly, he's in love with me.  Me!  The girl with the past of sorrows- the one who only wanted to be loved, finally knows what it means.

And just in case your wondering what is up with that face...or should I say the hair on that face, he insisted on not shaving during all the scout camps this summer.  I made the mistake of telling him he should keep growing the beard thingy because it would look cool!  I was kidding, of course!  But then I made the even bigger mistake of telling him he could go as Colonel Sanders to the ward Trunk or Treat.  So, he's growing it out until Halloween.  I get to introduce him to Lee Child sporting a ton of facial hair...and I totally think that's cool!

Girl's Weekend 2010

I have a great group of friends that I try to get together with every year for a Girl's Weekend.  I say try because I've backed out a couple of years in a row.  This year we headed to Flagstaff, Arizona where we stayed at a nice and cozy Little America.  The place was tucked away in a quiet location just off the freeway.  It was surrounded by tall pine trees and the scent of the forest.  It truly reminded me of Oregon.  I was amazed that this little place in the desert could be so beautiful.  I loved it there so much that I'm insisting that Richard put it on our lists of places to see and explore. I can't wait to go back! 

While we were there we sang along with some singing waiters at Black Bart's Steak House, shopped the tents at the Flagstaff Art's Festival, dived into some delicious BBQ, toured the beautiful Grand Canyon, and took a walk through a cavern in the middle of the desert that sits 210 ft. below the earths surface.  We also stopped at the Road Kill Cafe on Route 66.  I took lots and lots of pictures of myself while sitting in the very back seat of Teri's MDX on our road trip for Las Vegas to Flagstaff.  We stayed up late playing games.  Well, they stayed up late playing games while I sat around reading books.  This chick has deadlines!  I also made a new friend from Texas.  Her name is Cindy Davis.  I happen to think she is the nicest woman I've ever met, especially since she understands the importance of girl time!

I'm still busy with my book blog.  I've been fortunate enough to have some authors notice my reviews and offer me books to give away.  It's been tons of fun and I'm enjoying meeting all these wonderful people.  You can check out my book blog here: http://myfriendscallmekate.blogspot.com/ .  There is still time to leave a comment and be entered in a drawing to receive a signed copy of How To Grow Up and Rule The World by Vordak T. Incomprehensible!  I still can't believe the author offered me a signed copy after I described the book as "great bathroom reading material."  He must know greatness when he reads it!