The Nina...
Here's what I'm doing tomorrow - visiting the Nina!!!

Why visit the Niña?
To see a near perfect example of a type of sailing ship — the caravel — of such clean, sculptured, honest design that it was produced for upwards of 125 years. With its Scandinavian style bow and midsection and its combination square and lateen rigging it was probably the best open water sailing vessel of its time — that pivotal time referred to as the Great Age of Discovery.

To stand on the sloping deck of the Niña, as true a replica as will probably ever be built. It was Columbus' favorite ship, the one he very nearly died on in 1493, upon which he ultimately logged more than 25,000 miles.

Today, Sunday - It was a strange day today - I woke up at 6 a.m. and immediately got down to work - it wasn't until about 9 that I realized it was Sunday - I thought it was Monday - I couldn't figure out why no one was returning my emails. And, silly me, hadn't changed my clocks from last weekend, so I was really fouled up! OK, I'm up to speed now - it's Sunday and I know what time it REALLY is!

The reason I was fouled up today was that Friday night was my brother's surprise birthday party and then I came home Saturday afternoon.

A ton of family and friends showed up for David's birthday party held at the local bowling alley. He is a very giving person, always doing for others, so it was so nice to see so many people show up and show him that they appreciate all he does. I made dozens of airplanes made from gum and candy - they were cute favors - they look complicated, but they aren't. I personalized them by printing off a sentiment and gluing it to the wings. I didn't get any photos of them, but you can just type in candy airplanes on the internet and the directions will come up. David wasn't surprised which was a bummer. The whole plan was to tell him that the kids wanted to go bowling and that he and his friends would go to dinner then meet the wives and kids at the bowling alley. My story for being there was that I was going to a planning meeting for my high school reunion cruise. Well, David and his buddies got to the restaurant and David saw the guy that we usually go to his house for the class meetings, so that clenched it for him. It was fun anyway!

I went to Wal-Mart last week to get David's present and found some beautiful curtains and a window scarf - I hadn't been to Wal-Mart in ages, so I was very surprised to find some amazing items to finish up my home.

I made myself a cup of tea one day last week, sat down at the computer and ordered Christmas presents on-line - it's so much easier on the feet and with places like Amazon.com having free shipping - why not?

Today was a nice day to get some things done - I started a 'Things That Bug Me' list - it's those things that never seem to get done - they might take 3 minutes, but...I did a few of them today and it felt good. I also went through my notebook that I started last January - it's where I keep all my financial info, goals and stuff like that. I wasn't as religious as I'd hoped this year in keeping it up, but I did get it out every couple of months and see where I was. Unfortunately, most of the goals I'd set for this year will be the same for 2009 - I have made lots of headway on them, but none are completely done. I feel that as long as I'm doing something to get them accomplished - it's a good thing!

Make this week a fantastic one!
Joan

Voice Over, Sitting Around the Fire, Catching Up with Friends...

I'm finally back home in a bit of a mental fog this afternoon. My couple of days in The Valley were awesome - I love when I can mix work and lots of pleasure.

I got to brother's house late in the evening on Tuesday expecting everyone to be inside watching tv or doing homework. When I pulled up to where my 'home away from home' always is (I have a standing reservation in their trailer when I'm in the area) - but this time, I was greeted with a fire in the fire pit where he and his younger son were sitting. We sat and chatted on a beautifully clear evening and later, Justin, my older nephew, came out and we popped pop corn over the fire. My sister-in-law corralled the boys to take showers and David and I sat and watched for satellites (he'd seen 3 pass over that night) and talked about life. He's turning forty next month and he's been thinking a lot about health, family and the future. Hmmmm...sounds very familiar. The last couple of times I've been in the area, my brother has been sweet enough to make sure an outside light is on on the trailer and my bed is ready to go - he even fixed us all breakfast a couple weeks ago.

I was up early on Wednesday, got lots of liquids to soothe my throat and headed to Fresno to do voice overs for the video scripts I wrote. It was just two of us in a huge studio with sound buffers around me to keep down the echo and a big microphone that I practically had to swallow because I had to be so close - I did voice overs from 9 until after 1! The person recording the voice overs was very meticulous (no complaint here!) but I would never have imagined 5 pages of script to take so many hours. It was hard to make the topic upbeat, but I read the lines over and over and stumbled over some words and read them again and again with different inflections. If he asked me to do it again, I wouldn't hesitate - something else to put on my resume and it was fun. The voice overs went so long I had to cancel lunch plans with a friend which is a bummer, but she's coming over to visit in a couple of weeks, so it wasn't so bad.

Wednesday night, I had dinner with my friend Frances. I had forgotten how much I missed her laugh, her guidance and her friendship!!! After dinner, we just got in the car and drove and drove and ended up in the next town shopping at Wal-Mart. It was late when I drove back to Lemoore across the back country roads and once again, my bro had so nicely left the light on for me.

I saw my mom and dad for a few minutes this morning before heading home. My whole family is heading this way to celebrate my nephew's 30th birthday this weekend and since we got rained out last weekend, David and I are going to work in my front yard - I hope to get it ALL done, he's not quite that optimistic.

Enjoy your day!
Joan