NEW YORK - DAY FOUR

Today was the windiest and coldest freaking day of my life! Well, that actually isn't true.  My first winter in Rexburg, Idaho where I flunked out of my first year in college because I was to busy visiting my friends in Utah had the windiest and coldest freaking day of my life.  It was 60 below zero...I fainted on my way to class because it was too freaking cold to breathe.  Today was kind of like that, but without the snow, and the chill factor was probably close to 30 degrees in the wind while walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.  Even so, it was dang cold out.  So cold Richard agreed that I needed a cute scarf to go with my outfit and later a hat, too.  I probably have head lice now because I bought the hat from one of those street vendors and I'm quite positive close to a thousand other people have tried on the same one before I came along (the poor sucker that I am) and bought the darn thing.  Oh well.  The hat kept my lopsided ears warm and helped me snag some great self photos of myself.  For an example, you can check out my Facebook picture, or you can just keep reading this blog post and see the photo at the end.  I'm rocking some pretty decent Reacher Worthy eyes in this photo!!!  And just in case your thinking things are different now that I've finally met Lee Child, you should know that my life will be forever centered around my Reacher Worthiness!

Enough of that...we headed out early today to check out a couple of museums.  We went to the Guggenheim and then headed down the street to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Both places provided us with unlimited amounts of knowledge, if we were really paying attention, and most importantly, warmth.  I have to admit, by day four of our little adventure, it became really clear that my efforts to be more Reacher Worthy by doubling my workouts for this trip didn't help me much.  I'm sore. Really, really, really sore!  But sore is good.  New York has helped me to firm up my bottom and strengthen my leg muscles, too. I can't help but be truly appreciative of New York City for their willingness to build a city that allows people to exercise.  I'm feeling much healthier already and loving the extra five pounds I've dropped from my butt this week.  Thanks!

Other adventures led us to the Brooklyn Bridge where I scored some great pictures while freezing my a** off.  It was totally worth it and could have been much worse had I not stopped to purchase that fake cashmere scarf and lice infested hat from that lovely street vendor on Fifth Avenue.  I'm so thankful for these people that stand in the cold all day long just waiting for people like me to come along.  I almost snagged a great purse this evening, but apparently I had made a promise to Richard that I wouldn't buy any purses while in New York.  I must have been feeling extra guilty about spending so much money to plan a vacation around Lee Child.  I have to say, Richard was impressed with the lecture at Barnes & Noble.  This means that he in one step closer to accepting my new found passion for reading and personally meeting and thanking every author that I feel has made my life better.  I also think coming to New York proved useful in that Richard has grown fond of this great city and has even mentioned coming back. 

We ended at Battery Park for another walk through and then headed off to grab some dinner from Carnegie Deli.  We are currently sitting in our hotel room trying to figure out how we are supposed to eat ten pounds of meat between the two of us.  Seriously, if you want to suggest to us a place to eat, please give us instructions  on how to avoid butchering an entire cow for the occasion.  I'm starting to feel guilty about it.  The cheesecake, however, was delicious.  Here's to us going to bed early and packing our stuff up all while trying not to burst into tears over leaving New York.  And just in case your interested, my head has done nothing but itch ever since I suggested the head lice thing.  I truly was kidding around, but now, I'm kind of getting worried.

NEW YORK - DAY THREE

Well, apparently I was so involved in my blogging last night that I didn't hear my husband tell me that we were starting early today.  I didn't get to bed until after midnight and was looking forward to sleeping in.  Nope, didn't happen!  The alarm woke me at six this morning. When I complained, Richard didn't care too much and made it completely impossible for me to go  back to sleep.  We left the hotel just after 8:00 this morning and stopped for some Hot Chololate and donuts at Dean & Deluca.  I love Dean & Deluca!  I've been dying to go there ever since Nick Heller bought those cookies in Vanished by Joseph Finder.  When I found out that we could find a Dean & Deluca in every major location we were planning to visit in New York City, I was totally beside myself.  I dreamt of Nick Heller once.  There was no conversation and I was in the wrong coffee place, but still, it was a great dream.  I'm hoping now that I've actually been in a Dean & Deluca that I can dream of Nick Heller again.  Only next time, I'd like a little conversation.

After breakfast we headed to Rockefeller Plaza and wandered around taking pictures.  The wind picked up and I was dying to buy a hat, but I didn't. A decision I regretted all afternoon while I was walking the streets of New York with winds gusts that froze my ears off.  I found one that I really, really like and I'm hoping to purchase it tomorrow.  We took a walk through Saint Patrick's Cathedral and admired the beautiful artwork in the stained glass windows.  The statues of the Saints were so beautiful and the organ was magnificent. 

Later we ended up in the Diamond District by accident.  Does anyone really walk there intentionally and if so do they really drop the kind of cash that is required to walk away with an item there?  Holy Crap!  It was so difficult not to look.  We were strolling around and then out of nowhere I noticed this beautiful pendant hanging in the window. It was so beautiful and shiny and sparkly and perfect!  I made the mistake of stopping to point it out to Richard, which led to a store employee inviting me in to try it on.  Honestly, I figured at the most the thing had to be worth fifteen grand.  NOT!  For $776,034.00 I could own a really cute heart shaped pendant that I would never wear for fear of losing it.  When we told him we weren't interested, he actually wanted to know what price range we were looking at.  He was CRAZY!  They are all CRAZY in  the Diamond District.  I still had a great time snapping shots of the windows.

We walked back to Time Square and  had lunch at Junior's.  I had so many people Facebook me this week to tell me about it that I made sure to add it to my list of places to go.  Stopping proved to be a mistake.  My muscles became so stiff that I could barely move when we got up to leave.  We stopped at the Yankee store and bought us some Yankee stuff just because we could, and because it would have been senseless to not do so.  A hundred bucks later...we were on our way to the hotel to rest for a few minutes.

We wandered through a section of Central Park and took some photos. It's a beautiful place and there is so much to look at there.  Richard and I decided that we definitely want to come back to New York.  This is the most amazing city I've ever been to in my  life.  The sounds, the smells, the food, the people.  I love all of it so much already.  I'm truly going to miss this place when I leave. Later we went to the Empire State Building and took the elevator to the 86th Floor where we looked at the view and froze in the wind.  Then we road the elevator up to the 102nd and looked at the view again.  I fell in love with the elevator control operator.  He was the cutest man I've ever laid eyes on.  He even posed for a picture with me.  After stopping to pick up some NYC Fried Chicken we headed back to our hotel.  That's where we are now, watching The Blind Side on television while I sit in bed typing this blog post and resting my extremely sore ankles.

I'm hoping to be able turn the lights out early tonight so I can be well rested in the morning,  Tomorrow is our last full day in this beautiful city and we still have two museums to hit and a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge.  The Brooklyn Bridge has an amazing story behind it.  You can read about in The Great Bridge by David McCullough.  The first part of the book actually brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion.  Dang it, does crying turn into a normal occurrence when you turn 40?  If so, I wasn't warned and I'm having a hard time adjusting to it.  Well, this chick is out of here...I'm headed to the tub to soak my weary bones and prep for a good nights rest! Now, if I can just keep Richard from turning on that alarm clock...

NEW YORK - DAY TWO

Today was fantastic.  We left the hotel around 10:00 this morning and headed to the Financial District to scope out the Borders where Lee Child would be doing his book signing.  We took a quick stroll through  Battery Park and wandered the grounds of Trinity Church.  Then I stood in line at the book store and after a short wait was introduced to Lee Child.  His eyes are just as beautiful in person as they are in those pictures I've been seeing in the back of those books he's been writing.  When the book store employee told him I had flown in from Salt Lake just for his book signing, he seemed a little surprised.  Actually, I believe the first words were, "no you didn't."  Then when I told him that it was indeed true, he said, "are you crazy..."  So not the words I was going for.  I think I responded with, "no, I'm in love."  And I don't think I bothered to clarify that I was in love with Jack Reacher either.  It didn't matter though, he seemed very appreciative that I would plan my vacation around him and was very kind.  I have to admit that I was a little star struck.  I meant to get a book signed for a friend as a surprise, but when asked I gave them the name Katherine.  What the heck was that about?  I know a Kathy and a Katie, but I don't know a Katherine.  I guess I'll be doing a creative book give away on that ridiculously lame book blog I've got. 

After the book signing, we headed back to the hotel for just a few minutes and then took the subway to Yankee Stadium.  A game was happening today and we wanted to feel the energy there while eating what had to be the most disgusting hot dog I've ever had in my life.  New York, I'm so disappointed!  I'm a fan of hot dogs and I really expected better things from you.  Nonetheless, the energy was still happening and the horrible dog was worth it.  We then headed back to Trinity Church so we could take a walk through the Cathedral and admire the stained glass work and the intricate woodworking inside.  I have had a love for Cathedrals ever since I was a little girl.  Sometimes I really wish our LDS Temples were a little more ornate.  We continued to wander around for a little while before heading back to the hotel again to rest up for the evening book signing at Barnes & Noble.

Barnes & Noble!  Remember that dream I posted on my book blog about the police waiting for me at Barnes & Noble and arresting me for stalking?  Well, there was an officer inside the building when I arrived, but she didn't seem to be looking for me and no arrest was made.  I was surprised to find out that not only would Mr. Child be doing book signings, but he would also be doing a short lecture on Worth Dying For as well as a question and answer session with the audience, all while being filmed for a CBS special to air on Sunday morning.  It was amazing and made me so thankful that I decided to hop that plane to New York.  Afterward, I had the opportunity to stand in line with a lady named Nermin who was kind enough to pose for a picture with me.  She was thrilled to hear about my vacation planning around my favorite authors and was happy I chose to come to New York to see Lee Child.  Actually, I just think Nermin was happy to meet another woman that loves Jack Reacher as much as she does.  I really do have a soft spot for that guy.

When it was my turn to get my books signed...again, Mr. Child was kind enough to acknowledge that he remembered me from earlier.  I had no problem admitting that I had dedicated today to him and that I had been Facebooking and tweeting about it on Twitter all day.  When preparing to sign the second book (yes, I bought four copies today), I told him I just needed his signature so I could give the book away on my book blog.  That comment led to him asking for the name of my blog.  When I told him, he recognized it and said, "so that's you, you're Andrew's fan."  Yes, Mr. Child, I am Andrew's fan.  Truth be told, while standing in line I was plugging the David Trevellyan series to Nermin after she stated she was having difficulty finding another author that she liked as much as you.  I also plugged Joseph Finder's Nick Heller series.  Please forgive me, but I really love to read and I meant it when I told you that I was a huge fan of Mr. Grant.  I'm also, however, an equally huge fan of yours and I will forever be thankful for your kindness even though I am secretly dying to know just what was said to you about my book blog.  It's an honest passion, that book blog of  mine.  I have your brother to thank for that.  If I hadn't stumbled upon Even by accident I never would have discovered my secret passion for crime fiction, and, as I told you, I never would have discovered you!  Thanks for the kindness, Mr. Child.  I'm signing up to be your friend on  Facebook and will anxiously await your reply.  When you asked if I was your friend tonight, I was a little nervous.  I never signed up to be your friend because I didn't want to betray your brother.  But then, when you think about it, I kind of already did that by making you my first author to plan a vacation around. 

In the end, today was wonderful.  I also had the opportunity to meet Maggie...I love Maggie!  Maggie Griffin is a hugger just like me!  I can't wait to see you next year at Bouchercon!  St. Louis here I come!

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!