A review; Books, Grocery Stores, Overflow

I am currently reading; Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides, not because Oprah recommended it, but for the fact that he won the Pulitzer Prize for this piece of fiction. That intrigued me. How good could it be? The story depicts a family: the Stephanides, reaching across generations, continents, and genders. It's a broad, comic epic, tracing the path of a mutant gene of a hermaphrodite. It's a book that demands the readers attention. Jeffery has a vivid mind and is an astonishing writer. When I read great works like this, I am intimidated to continue my own writing, but it makes me want to persever.

I've just overdosed on a bag of kettlecorn from AJ's that cost a pretty penny. Actually it was 699 pennies because AJ's can get away with that sort of exorbitant behavior. Mainly because people like me will pay for the luxury they provide. After all if given the choice to shop at Fry's with their bright lights, gaudy decor, endcaps displaying specials that offer inedible or mass produced crap for the masses, such as Chef Boyar' Dee, 3 cans for a dollar, Hamburger Helper or Charmin for a charming price. Rather than, AJ's, with their mood lighting and subliminal music. Notes of specials are artfully displayed on chalkboards lovingly handwritten in many colors. Their endcaps hold products that I know nothing about so I am drawn to them for the new discovery. And yes, Charmin is available at AJ's, but it's discretely tucked away amongst the body lotions from Europe and Burt's Bee's products. If ever a grocery store could be called artistic, AJ's is my Picasso.

I spent the evening putting some work into our workspace. At least the employee's bathroom is clean. Poor people have been forced lately to pee in chaos. These are the little background details of my daily existence that drive me crazy. When all is not perfect there is no peace in my befuddled brain. I'm happy to report we once again have toilet zen. I took a walk through the assembly line tonight inspecting all of the product in WIP. I can see the flow clearly in my head for tomorrow's work when once again all of the personalities that will fill chairs arrive one by one and the quiet that is tonight will become tomorrow's pandemonium. The best part of my work is the people. I have assembled a comical cast of characters that I take no credit for. They simply showed up. Each and every one of us brings life to these products we build. We work as if it is impossible to fail.

Though everyone deserved it, employee of the month was EMO!!

Nate and Jake

Harvest Moon

(Photo Credit: Night Vision Photography)

I walked Pawpaws right after he threw up his dinner. It seemed normal to him, I am wondering if he is bulemic as this is more of a constant now. The sun is just setting and twilight begins to paint the sky when the most spectacular moon rises over the Thunderbird Mountain Range in front of me. Astronomical events never fail to thrill me. I had to call everyone I know and sent them scrambling out to their yards so that I would not be a lone witness.

For your information; the Harvest Moon has a special meaning. To astronomers, the Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the September equinox. This year’s equinox took place on September 23. So, to astronomers, tonight's full moon is the true Harvest Moon. In times past, farmers bringing in the harvest had no long period of darkness between sunset and moonrise for several days around this full moon. Hence the name Harvest Moon. Now you know. Hope you saw it.

Comes Around

I've been getting up early fueled by the wonderfully cool mornings. The season has changed. I can smell it in the morning. Each new season grows from the leftovers of the past.

Yesterday I heard first and then saw a huge "V" of geese. I wonder how long they have been flying and where they are traveling from. Canada, I suppose. But they are home now for the winter. It's official. Funny, I remember back last year, early November I think. I wrote about the same geese, but from a different prospective. I was a completely different woman a year ago.

So much has happened between the geese.

Monday hit pretty hard today. Not that my every day is a not a Monday with working 7 days a week. But for the first Sunday in many months I shut down the shop. I woke up whenever I wanted which turned out to be 6:30 instead of 6. Grabbed my paper and flipped some eggs in my new seven inch skillet. I took my bounty to the brown leather chair and enjoyed a Sunday morning with Joel O, the way it used to be. It's Nathan's 28th birthday. I'm going to take the road trip to Whittman to spend a few hours with the kids and grand kids. I loaded the truck with hastily bought gifts for everyone, a weeks worth of work for Nathan and Nik and a couple of racks of ribs. Emma greeted my arrival in her adorable "Emma way". Her face lights up and she runs into my arms. She has so much to say and so much to show me. I parked on the couch with fussy Jacob in my lap and Emma by my side explaining the ways of life. After a time my anxious mind started calculating work things and things I should be doing and I announced to Nik that I was going to leave to get some work done in the afternoon. She ah huh'ed me and ignored it. Nathan is cooking and the smell is intoxicating. Denise and John arrived and the friendly family chaos made me relax. I said the hell with it and grabbed a plate of food and then had seconds. Good conversation and family company put me at ease again. I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon.

The brick walls are there for a reason

Had an issue at work today. The full crew was here and we were a mighty machine. Cranking out product in near record time. When time came for packing up I noticed a piece part was incorrectly installed on one box. In checking further, I realized with heart dropping acceptance that all 300 units and an entire days work was scrap. Every box was done the same way. Agog and aghast, I stopped the line. The usual sounds of 3 screwdrivers constant whir, boxes clanging as they are stacked, noise and chaos came to a complete halt in an instant. I've never witnessed such profound silence. We all sat for a full 5 minutes letting it sink in. That was a moment I will never forget. The feeling amongst the group was utter defeat. It was up to me to salvage attitude. I squashed my own horror and gave a pep talk, sort of. Tried to wrangle the situation into a learning experience. We were all at fault. There was ample opportunity for anyone to notice and say "hey, we have a problem". I sent everyone home and spent the next many hours undoing our days doings.

I was surprised by my own feelings after the fact. It was a moment of retrospect for me and one they are going to hear about tomorrow. We all need to slow down, pay attention and look out for each others work. We have been to individually focused. I am happy for the lesson. It will be interesting what tomorrow brings. I have to have a big talk. But knowing my employees, they will rise to the occasion. We built a brick wall this afternoon, one that we will move tomorrow. The lesson I will attempt to impart is that experience is what you get when you get what you don't want.

This I know........

WORK, Travail, trabajo, 仕事, Lavoro

..... In any language

I woke up in a whole different world today. At 5:30 I stumble out of my arcadia doors to view a new day. I was disgusted for the early hour. It's nearly impossible to drag my ass out of my perfect bed that sucks me in and doesn't want to let go. Much to my surprise, it was bordering on cold! I was suddenly awake. The near cold was better than coffee, though I could have used some.......There is nothing like a change of season to improve my mood. Bring it on!! I had new enthusiasm for everything. I blamed my good mood at work today on Red Bull, as it was obvious. But the truth was, I feel great. Here comes October. My favorite month of the year, we are just days away. It's time to savor life again.

I'm getting a grip in my head on this work schedule. It's not your typical 9 to 5 but more like 5 to 9. The important thing I am learning is to not take work to seriously and let myself fall by the wayside as victim of it. Work is imperative, but losing myself in it, disastrous. Work is just "killing time while living life". I need to do more living. I feel less frantic and have complete faith in my dedicated crew. Emo, Mike and Tyler are doing a tremendous job. Thank you!

Bye Bye Blog

I was all geared up tonight for the rain that never came. Even at this late hour the TV is telling tales of threatening storms. Liars. All is clear here. The occasional cloud is but a tease.

There is good TV on tonight. However, post Benedryl I will have to rely on TIVO reruns to watch it. My new favorite show is "Tell Me You Love Me" on HBO. They are pushing the envelope, much to my delight. I'm looking forward to the fall season of

TV. Just looking forward is a big step for me.

My accelerated work schedule is not going to allow much blog time. Or anything else for that matter. I finally dragged myself to a grocery store today for the first time in a week. I was motivated by lack. My imagination for the wonderful things that I will cook was sparked. I have a whole menu in my head and now the ingredients to accomplish it are in my refrigerator. I fear they will go by the way of the ricotta cheese, unused and passing expiration date. However, just in case, I am ready.

I'm engulfed in the dark, with cigar... exhaustion leading the way. Paws is in the sandbox, where he spends most nights. His private beach retreat. Emma's flotation device with it's exaggerated eyes are floating merrily around the pool spurred on by a slight wind and the pool pump. Every now and then it looks directly at me. My backyard mascot

Let us add one more night to our lives

Baby Steps

Born at 5:32 PM, 7lbs. 10 oz.
Jacob Zane Moseley

Being witness to a person's first moment of life is an awe inspiring task. My recollection of the event will be his history.

Enter Jack, on September 11th in the year of 2007. Just for the fact that his birthday is 9/11 adds a certain grandeur to his birth. Not only is it a historical date, it's also Nichole's father's birthday. And as Emma was born on my birthday, it seems we are all significantly tied together in some mysterious way. These facts demand respect for fate's irony and a lot of pondering the hmmmmmmm??????
After a pleading phone call from Nichole to come to the hospital even though the event was hours away, I find myself with apprehensive attitude on my way to Thunderbird hospital. It's a big responsibility to witness birth. I get in my truck and drive to the destination that offers no parking. I circled that lot for a full 11 minutes before attempting the parking garage that sported a sign announcing it was "FULL". I took my chances. Alas, they were right. A little luck and a lot of faith allotted me a spot less than a mile's walk. I could have taken the courtesy shuttle, but I was to proud.
Once I was properly badged, bar coded and identified, I was a member of the "birthing team".
Nathan was beyond giddy. Nichole relived that the end was near. We three went through an experience that bonds human beings to the very core of our souls. Raw emotion superceeded daily mundualities. Wonder and awe dominated thoughts and conversation. Suspended faith became our path.
It was simply a celebration of life itself.

Thank you Jack!

.....or whoever you are to become. Happy Birthday Baby!

Reality Bites

Tutti Santi - ristorante italino, Scottsdale, AZ

With my second visit this past weekend, I have come to realize the unique flavor of this place. Even though I am not a fan of Italian cuisine per say, I am a huge fan of this restaurant for the ambiance which reeks of Mafioso and is always inhabited by colorful characters. Boisterous bar patrons comingle with the flashy dressed women wearing to much jewelry showing ample decolletage. Talk is loud and there is the occasional witness of an argument breaking out amongst the animated Italian employees in the far corner. Accents are sometimes fake and forced adding to my delight.

Tucked into a corner strip mall at 62nd Street and Greenway, this unassuming eatery is big on atmosphere which explodes with unexpected charm the minute you walk through the door. It brags of "old world" appeal. Entering the narrow hallway, a prospective diner will witness the split dining areas. I have yet been seated only in the bar dining room and have no idea what goes on in the room to the right. The dining room is cozy and the tables replete with crisp white linens, gleaming silverware and sparkling crystal stemware. It offers elegant comfort, somewhat formal without being stuffy.

Louisa greets us like an Italian mom ushering her kids to the dinner table. Even though we have no reservations, we are welcomed in to wait for the next seat. Tucked away in the corner of the short bar, we sit. There seems to be no system for seating arrangements other than Louisa's memory of who is where and still needs to be fed. We feel forgotten for a short while, drinking wine and club sodas when suddenly we are beckoned to an open table and eagerly scramble over before someone takes it.

We are given menus and advised to read it and eat. Said menu boasts the usual Italian fare; Veal Marsala with Fettuccine Alfredo, Spaghetti Bolognese & Linguine with Fresh Clams are the dished I have so far sampled.

Salad is a boring plate of lettuce with a tomato slice. I have learned to order the soup which is a delicate blend of flavors, mild but distinct, leaving me wanting the next taste.

The staff is accommodating without being overbearing. It's always necessary to ask about the days specials as they never remember to offer the information.

After the entrees, our waiter brought complimentary shots of sambucca. It was a wonderfully European way to finish a meal.

I have no reservations about returning.

A Difficult Oyster

Doing a little kitchen blogging tonight. Dinner was an impromptu affair nicely pulled together if I do say so myself. Good food and even better company quelled my brain that never lets up. I have a lot on my plate. Tonight included oysters, shrimp cocktail and rib eye steaks. Satisfying.

I've never before shucked an oyster. It used to be P's job. But since he left his tool behind, I took it on with a confidant attitude. If he could do it, how hard could it be? The things were treacherous and loaded with barnacles. I tackled the task looking for my pearl. It became a fight to the finish and a 30 minute struggle to open 6 oysters. They put up a good fight!

Clouds have blanketed my backyard view. It's really nice out tonight and has me thinking towards fall. Prematurely optimistic, yes, but something to look forward to. Finally. The long hard summer of 2007 is about to conclude.

I conquered the oyster.

Waiting for Jack

The New Garth Brooks Song (click for the link)

The clock and the fan are competing for my attention in the hushed living room. The click, click sound of the Hunter ceiling fan and the rhythmic tick of the oversized clock above my TV are the only sounds tonight indicating there is life in this house. Pawpaws stretches and sighs loudly, breaking the silence.

Nichole is ready to deliver any second, so I'm in the waiting game now. My bag for the hospital is packed and includes camera, kleenex and of course pad and pen should this thing run long. I'm ready!
Emma is ecstatic at the knowledge of a new brother, but she doesn't know what she's in for. I'll have to lavish her with extra attention during this transition. I think there are going to be many weekends with grandma!

I guess I'll call it a night with my phone expectantly by my side.