gwen notes

We will hold a place for you

2012-01-11T13:31:00.003-07:00

So in Sept, when I was trying to figure out how to get to Vermont, I called and asked if I could push the residency back. They said yes. In October, I asked the same thing and they pushed it back again. Because financial issues were partly to blame for that, they increased my artist grant and gave me a 6-month payment plan to pay the balance. Then when the probate issues interrupted stuff, I was ready to forfeit the residency and called to tell them that but I was told I didn't have to lose it.

I have a year to reschedule. Yay!

So, see what happened was. . .

2012-01-11T13:13:00.003-07:00

The last time I disappeared for a period of time, it was because I had been arrested and was involved in criminal court.

This time it was civil court.

My brother tried to run off with a $65,000 annuity that wasn't his and I couldn't let that happen 'cause my share is seed money to making my writing life dream come true.

He wasn't found guilty of breach of fiduary trust but the judge is now going to supervise his financial actions regarding the estate. The annuity is going to be split in 5 ways-- something my brother's attorney proposed in a response because my brother knew he was wrong but he said my brother was giving us the money out of the goodness of his heart (HA!)--still I was holding out for it to be part of court record.

My brother lied and lied and lied and lied but he was also willing to give up another $30,000 in some other insurance money that wasn't really his either. That was a surprise 'cause I thought he'd fight a little more to keep it. But maybe not 'cause some shady dealings might have been discovered.

No matter. There's 95,000 more in the estate, though appraisers and lawyer's fees will probably take a chunk out of that:(

My brother put forth motions to sell the houses and everything else. Two of my sisters are livid about that.

I knew it was going to be interesting. I just want it to be over and soon!

Like that guy in "Friday": Once I got my check, I was gone!

Happy tabula rasa!

2012-01-02T15:02:00.000-07:00

Another year!

They fly by fast when you're heading toward senior citizenship, heh heh.

I may end up walking

2011-09-13T12:02:00.003-06:00

Trying to figure out how to get to Vermont. Arrggghhh. I hate that I procrastinate about the most important thing!

Waited too long-- what to do?

A plane to Nashville and then a bus to Vermont?

A plane to NY and then a train to Vermont? [No checked luggage so a limit to the carryons and that would mean I would have to repack(!) and leave the big luggage behind.

A bus to Vermont. Four days? Uhm, can you say Febreeze?

please oh please oh please

2011-09-07T19:45:00.001-06:00

Texas secede now.

Mr. Perry, pretend you are Jefferson Davis and govern your own country.

A note from the Studio Center

2011-09-02T12:58:00.002-06:00

How are you getting here?

They have a shuttle service which picks people up at the bus station or the airport, both in Burlington. I haven't quite decided if I'm taking the bus, which would be long, but I need to go to Nashville to pick up some things I left behind and also some books about the writing craft my daughter got me when Borders was going out of business.

What I really want is to spend some time in Burlington before I'm picked up.

I gotta decide fast.

well, duh

2011-09-02T12:56:00.002-06:00

I've been going on and on about the number of books I want to take to Vermont in less than 3 weeks (!!!!!!!!) and it finally dawned on me that the problem was not the number of books, but the size of the luggage!

Bigger=more space=all the books I want to take.

2011-08-23T21:59:00.001-06:00

2011-08-23T21:58:00.001-06:00

2011-08-23T16:20:00.000-06:00

2011-08-23T16:19:00.001-06:00

2011-08-23T11:48:00.000-06:00

Quote for 8-22-2011

2011-08-22T11:31:00.000-06:00

If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom.

~Terri Guillemets

late blooms

2011-08-22T11:24:00.002-06:00

Because I was busy doing stuff that really didn't concern me earlier this year, I got behind on things I wanted to do, like creating my sunflower jungles. Planted the seeds late and wasn't sure if they'd blossom before I left this house, but they have and they are and damn, it's so beautiful.

dream job 2

2011-08-22T11:20:00.002-06:00

I did not get the temp job at Barnes and Noble but I did get one at a craft store, remodeling it. I've done remodeling before. Graveyard and you do a bit here and a bit there.

The bookstore job would have been a better choice 'cause I'm finding things that I don't need to put on my plate. No, I do not need to consider jewelry making. I do not need any more books on quilting, crocheting or knitting. What you need to do Gwendolyn is use the ones you have to learn to quilt, crochet and knit.

And NO you don't need more fabric or yarn or even bear fur!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

get a post office box

2011-08-21T19:51:00.002-06:00

people to say goodbye to and repacking those luggages! Am having such a difficult time choosing what books to take. The clock is ticking so that should be an incentive to decide, decide!

Quote for 8-19-2011

2011-08-19T19:53:00.000-06:00

Celebrate endings - for they precede new beginnings.

- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

well

2011-08-19T19:51:00.000-06:00

looks like my life in Las Cruces, NM is just about a done deal

I have packed and packed

2011-07-31T20:56:00.002-06:00

and I still have 13 shelves of books to get into boxes! Stuff goes back into storage later this week until later this year when I get resettled in the Northeast.

I just want time to hurry, hurry.

And then not. . .

I gotta repack the luggage again

2011-07-29T16:48:00.003-06:00

Still trying to take waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many books.

It's a beautiful cottage but. . .

2011-07-29T16:43:00.002-06:00

Looking at houses 'cause I will need a place once I leave the Vermont Studio Center. A house on craigslist that's in the country -- from the outdoor photos, it appears pretty secluded. The hardwood floors throughout are gorgeous and the ad says the place is "safe" but I'm thinking "no" 'cause the house is on Elm Street. . .

I am certified

2011-07-15T19:52:00.001-06:00

perhaps a bit certifiable, but in this case I am done with my training and am now able to teach online classes at the community college. Yay!

a dream come true

2011-07-15T18:58:00.002-06:00

I may have a temporary job at a new Barnes & Noble. The bookchain took over the university bookstore some years ago and they have built this gloriously huge new store and they're hiring. I've got a little bit of time before I leave so I filled out an application to do some temporary work and when I called to check on it, the woman on the phone said she'd transfer me to the manager hiring who happened to have the exact name of a guy I know who worked for Barnes & Noble in the mall who'd previously worked at Waldenbooks anf for whom I'd review and promote books for their monthly discussion group.

Turns out he was one in the same.

Oh, yes I worked the "you know me" angle. Talked to him today and it is seems possible. Employees get a 35% discount on books.

I have always wanted to work at a bookstore. I applied at B Dalton's once but that didn't happen. I worked at the library but it's not the same; 'cause you can have 150 overdue library books in your dorm but eventually you're gonna have to return them;-)

I'm getting my hair cut today

2011-07-14T12:52:00.004-06:00

I am considered a black woman with "good hair." As a child I had really long hair. I've let my hair grow and I've cut it short-- once shaved to the scalp in the back-- over the years. Extensions and weaves, though there is nothing like your natural hair.

I'm off now to get a hair cut 'cause my hair is long enough to be cut in the style I want.

it rained again last night and I was way happy

2011-07-14T12:51:00.002-06:00

it is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay humid now and my happiness, uhm, not so much

FINALLY!

2011-07-12T20:47:00.002-06:00

Thunder is rumbling and light flashes through the semi-open blinds. It's time to go dance in the rain.

Packed redux

2011-07-12T20:27:00.002-06:00

The kitchen is cleared of the cows, roosters, pigs and occasional chickens. Turtle collection in boxes ( that I got from Barnes & Noble and that was no easy feat. Only a few bears were ever out because I've got six buckets of bear stuff and there was just no room even though the house is huge. Next house they will have a room of their own.

repacked

2011-07-12T20:19:00.003-06:00

I want to take more writing/creative stuff than the designated luggage will allow so I've chosen a larger one. The Center people are going to be like "Look, we didn't say you could move in!"
:-)

Am undecided about the clothes to take but I've pulled my cardigans and light sweaters. Jeans and skirts. I tell myself I can buy clothes when I get there and I can and probably will 'cause I want to take books. As many as I can.

Quote for 7-12-2011

2011-07-12T09:21:00.000-06:00

When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves.

Viktor E. Frankl

so behind

2011-07-10T17:36:00.001-06:00

on stuff I was hoping to complete. Have spent time on things that were not my own and now I'm seeing the time and energy it's cost me.

damn

PODS does not

2011-07-10T17:30:00.003-06:00

pick up from where I'm at nor does it deliver to where I'm going.

I was thinking about U-Haul -- when I was trying to move years ago, I thought I might drive a truck cross country -- but not interested in that now. I think they have a similar program like PODS. Gonna have to check that out. Otherwise it's ABF.

Pass the Orville Redin-- what's his name

2011-07-05T19:06:00.002-06:00

Everything my father had was passed to my mother which is now to be passed to their children and the craziness is about to begin, if you know what I mean.

I need boxes

2011-07-05T19:03:00.003-06:00

for the books. Not an easy task- copying places appear to recycle their boxes almost immediately.

The hardest thing is not moving the books, but the bookshelves. Maybe I shouldn't have bought them all before reaching my final destination.

Yesterday was the day my mother was born

2011-06-09T19:19:00.002-06:00

it was also the day she died.

Peace and rest.

what to do with myself now

2011-05-28T19:55:00.000-06:00

that is the question

emancipation just around the corner!

2011-05-28T19:49:00.003-06:00

last of the kids are graduated.

Gave my thirty day notice earlier.

But before I did, my youngest son told me that after May I didn't have to cook for him anymore.

I told him he didn't have to fire me, I was already quitting-- Ha!

This is how you operate the washer.

Don't forget to clean up the kitchen after yourselves.

Pay your cell phone bill on time or it'll get shut off.

Just some friendly reminders from "Mom"

alas, the problem is not with his math skills

2011-05-26T10:04:00.002-06:00

it's his literacy and comprehension skills.

The Bible clearly states that nobody but God himself knows when the end is coming. There's a scripture that compares it to "a thief in the night."

Thieves don't tell you what time they'll be arriving.

What he needs to do is not to worry about the date but to be ready for that day.

somewhere it is not yet 6 o'clock

2011-05-21T18:25:00.001-06:00

there is still time
for it
to all
end.

kudos for Kara

2011-05-10T19:04:00.000-06:00

and wild applause

went to hear my daughter's "final" in her choir class.

Wow!

Quote for 5/10/2011

2011-05-10T10:48:00.000-06:00

Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.

--Lillian Dickson

My grades are turned in

2011-05-10T10:46:00.002-06:00

Yay!

I am unemployed and can get back to my writing. TODAY!

another cute grandson

2011-05-07T16:32:00.000-06:00

Quote for 5-7-2011

2011-05-07T11:48:00.002-06:00

Who is Barack Obama? Contrary to the rumors you have heard, I was not born in a manger. I was actually born on Krypton and sent here by my father Jor-El to save the Planet Earth. Many of you know that I got my name, Barack, from my father. What you may not know is Barack is actually Swahili for 'That One.' And I got my middle name from somebody who obviously didn't think I'd ever run for president. If I had to name my greatest strength, I guess it would be my humility. Greatest weakness, it's possible that I'm a little too awesome.

--Barack Obama at the Al Smith Dinner

And the man's got swagga

2011-05-07T11:46:00.002-06:00

Videos on Youtube-- so funny-- his walk up to and away from the podium.

hahahahaha

Lady Gaga's got nothing on the President

2011-05-07T11:45:00.001-06:00

sat there and laughed at Meyer's bin Laden joke.

Never play Texas Hold 'em with Mr. Obama

and. . .

2011-04-22T13:08:00.000-06:00

hug a tree today.

Quote for 4-22-2011

2011-04-22T13:07:00.001-06:00

Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.

-- unknow

a nudge

2011-04-22T13:05:00.001-06:00

The card was addressed to the tenant before or current resident who would be me. A postcard from PODS-- the moving and storage place.

Yep, it's time to start thinking about packing it all up again.

the person before us

2011-04-22T13:04:00.000-06:00

spent $81 at the gas pump.

damn.

My grandson Marley

2011-04-22T13:03:00.000-06:00

Quote for 4-05-2011

2011-04-05T16:19:00.000-06:00

What you get by achieving your goals is to as important as what you become by achieving your goals.

--Zig Zigla

it's official

2011-04-05T16:05:00.004-06:00

I have been assigned an online class for the fall and because it's online I get bonus cash-- 2/3 of my pay rate extra. Excellent!

Now to tie up the details on the freelance reporter job for that newspaper in Vermont.

better than when Stewart and Colbert were on Conan

2011-04-05T16:03:00.001-06:00

Jimmy Fallon's show the other night, worth waiting up for. so funny and what a surprise-- Taylor Hicks!

It's Friday, Friday!!

2011-04-01T15:48:00.005-06:00

Gotta stay up for the Jimmy Fallon show-- Stephen Colbert will be singing the end-of-the workweek-day song. (hmm, I hope you understand that.

Anyway that "cover" version should be way funny.

BUT

what if it's an April Fool's Day joke?

That would be way unfunny.

Hey Rebecca, what day is it?

2011-03-25T15:18:00.003-06:00

We so excited. . .

it's Friday, Friday!

I find that song a whole lotta silly but the tune is catchy.

I love Fridays.

Quote for 3-20-2011

2011-03-20T10:30:00.000-06:00

Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will.

--Vernon Howard

spring break

2011-03-19T12:01:00.001-06:00

hallelujah and finally!

Quote for 3-19-2011

2011-03-19T11:55:00.000-06:00

For everything you have missed, you have gained something else.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Quote for 3-16-11

2011-03-16T20:17:00.002-06:00

Yeah, sometimes ya gotta lose ’til ya win

--from "Little Miss"
sung by Sugarland
written by Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush

Quote for 2-20-11

2011-02-20T18:56:00.001-07:00

And our dreams are who we are.

--Barbara Sher

the newest grandson

2011-02-19T15:02:00.001-07:00

This is him; such a cutie.

misc random & catching up

2011-02-19T14:47:00.002-07:00

Read this afternoon. That is always fun. Working on a reading in Delaware.

Reynolds Price, a favorite, has died:(

Usually don't stay up late for anything but Law & Order Marathons but last night I stayed up to catch Dwight Howard (a favorite-favorite)on the Tonight Show. He is such a cutie. Hope his All-Star team wins.

Have secured a class for the fall semester-- online -- while I'm living outside of NM. Have several training sessions to complete but I won't have to sweat the job-hunting scene and I can pay rent/mortgage. And eat. And buy books. The important stuff.

There was snow at the beginning of the month and cold temperatures. Electricity generators froze and there were rolling blackouts. School was cancelled and the city and surrounding areas shut down for 3-4 days. A lesson: Have a propane heater, have non-perishables to eat and enjoy staying in bed with a book.

misc

2011-02-09T11:51:00.005-07:00

Paid off the line of credit I had at a credit union. Am going to work with this financial counselor in regards to my credit report and just becoming a bit more financial savvy. Still getting information on houses in Vermont-- I'm over the moon about one but it was built in 1927 and I'm wanting my-very-own-never-lived-in-before-by-anybody house.

Getting my life organized. Taking cues from "Clean House" and "Hoarders," I have been going through and tossing and giving away. My mother never put much value on creative expressions that we brought home from school so I saved most everything my children (yes, all seven of them) ever made, wrote or drew. Had these special boxes (Forever Keeps,it said across the top) that I had their stuff in. Went through it and picked out the very cutest/sweetest things and offered each a chance to pick whatever before the rest went into the trash. Macaroni art does not look well after 20 years or so. Travel light. That is my goal. Went through the cassette tapes got rid of a lot of them. Kept only 4 purses and the rest hasta la vista.
--The shoes. Oh, no, not a one pair gone. I will travel light but I will do it in heels;-)

So part of the organization is getting stuff where it needs to go. Containment, read: bookshelves. Finally. Every book on a shelf. Hallelujah. Now to start reading them.

Have not been writing and slowly I have acquired rejections for most of the photographs. I was in a store and the cashier asked if I was the person in the newspaper. "You write books," she said. I replied that was me, but really I'm that person who starts books and doesn't finish them! I really need to get back to writing.

a page and a third of another

2011-01-31T21:21:00.001-07:00

A feature article on me in a newspaper. Longest article ever written about moi. Yes, my ego is showing. I even love the photograph.

busy busy

2011-01-26T19:24:00.004-07:00

I'm going to be featured in a publication. I love the whole thing about being interviewed and photographed and all the ego stroking.

Teaching. Love my class. Love them.

I almost have what I've wanted all my writing life. Almost. I'll share and celebrate when I have it completely.

Not much else. Life is good but it's kinda quiet.

Quote for 1-18-11

2011-01-18T09:40:00.001-07:00

A baby is God's opinion that life should go on.

--Carl Sandburg

My newest grandson is soooooooooooooooooooo cute

2011-01-18T09:36:00.002-07:00

A picture soon 'cause I'm waiting for my daughter to send them from her camera phone to my email.

I need to get a camera (had one but I gave it to my daughter) or a camera phone, something.

That, and one of those "Sexy Grandma" t-shirts! LOL!

Quote for 1-10-11

2011-01-10T10:33:00.002-07:00

Serendipity. Look for something, find something else, and realize that what you've found is more suited to your needs than what you thought you were looking for.

--Lawrence Block

I hear you're interested in buying a house. . .

2011-01-10T10:33:00.001-07:00

I signed up for updates on listings from a realtor site in Vermont. Evidently they share info with a bank 'cause I got an email from the mortgage dept.

I'll get be getting back to that lady.

Yes, Gwendolyn, it's great to plan for the future but what about TODAY?

2011-01-10T10:27:00.002-07:00

I need to get my syllabus done and posted for my class.

I need to get ready for tutoring.

I need to finish a story for this challenge I'm trying to complete. And the 15th is coming up fast!

Argh!

I was in the paper weeks ago

2011-01-10T10:22:00.002-07:00

A piece about New Year's Resolution. I said my only resolution was to get to Vermont.

I ran into people I knew and they'd comment that they saw me. This morning my supervisor mentioned that she'd seen it and asked when I was leaving. Not this semester, she said with a laugh because the spring term starts on Thursday.

I told her not until the fall and added that I was planning to talk to her about teaching an online course and she said yes.

She would love to keep me on.

Yay!

Get certified (Ive begun some courses; technology's not so scary after all.LOL!) and it's a done deal. I would have the freedom to return to Las Cruces to meet with my class(es)-- you can come once a month, every three weeks, whatever works for you, my supervisor said.

Sweet, sweet serendipity.

Quote for 1-09-11

2011-01-09T14:12:00.000-07:00

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched … but are felt in the heart.

--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

another grandchild on its way

2011-01-09T14:10:00.001-07:00

literally.

The waiting is grrrrrrrr to the nth degree.

Quote for 1-04-11

2011-01-04T13:50:00.000-07:00

As long as one keeps searching, the answers come.

- Joan Baez

A house with claw-footed tubs

2011-01-04T13:42:00.003-07:00

Most of the houses I'm looking at have hardwood floors - which I love- and stairs -which I love- but I have discovered one that has claw-footed tubs -- which I absoltely love!-- in the two bathrooms!

It was for sale but that didn't happen so now the owners are looking for someone interested in lease-to-own.

Am $100 away from paying off the line-of-credit at my bank here. The tax return pays off one car in order to get that off my credit report, which I need to pull so I can see what's there.

I'm going to buy a house. There. I've declared it, Universe. Have always been afraid of that for whatever reasons. I don't know how I'm going to do it-- but I didn't know how I was going to get a car and I ended up with two being financed for me-- so the 'knowing how' doesn't seem to matter.

I'm going to buy a house in Vermont in 2011.
I've declared it.
And I give thanks for and open myself to the positive response coming my way.
Amen.

Quote for 1-03-11

2011-01-03T13:37:00.001-07:00

In the magical universe there are no coincidences and there are no accidents. Nothing happens unless someone wills it to happen.

--William S. Burroughs

school is not yet in session

2011-01-03T13:29:00.002-07:00

Tomorrow the university reopens but it turns out the answer was there in front of my face since December-- I have two university-related email accounts and in one, there was a message about a Blackboard-related training session. Hit the webpage url listed and BAM-- the Spring schedule for Blackboard training. Signed up for the introductory and will take a variety of other courses into the coming months.

Let my supervisor know that I'm interested in online teaching and ask about a fall class.

Get certified and then teach from anywhere, just like Steve had told me.

Coincidence? I think not.

Serendipity, I tell you.

But wait! There's more!

2011-01-03T12:21:00.003-07:00

More pictures from Nashville.

There was no snow in Las Cruces on Friday, though the mountains were covered. Some flurries on Thursday but nothing was sticking:(

2011-01-03T12:20:00.000-07:00

2011-01-03T12:19:00.004-07:00

2011-01-03T12:19:00.003-07:00

2011-01-03T12:19:00.001-07:00

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2011-01-03T12:15:00.001-07:00

Quote for 1-02-11

2011-01-02T17:14:00.001-07:00

It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

— Eleanor Roosevelt

Hit the ground running

2011-01-02T17:10:00.002-07:00

Tomorrow, the university opens back up and I've got to go find out about Blackboard Learning. The college in Vermont makes use of it and I have a plan: teach a NMSU class while living in Vermont. There are some things that I"m pursuing that would make it impossible for me to teach in Vermont, were they to hire me, in the fall. But teaching an online class/long-distance just may be possible.

Tomorrow I see if it is.

Quote for 1-01-11

2011-01-01T17:51:00.000-07:00

Don't bunt. Aim out of the ball park. Aim for the company of immortals.

- David Ogilvy

Happy Tabula rasa!

2011-01-01T17:45:00.001-07:00

Don't you love the feel of a new year? I do.

Quote for 12-30-10

2010-12-30T10:56:00.000-07:00

Find out who you are and do it on purpose.

-- Dolly Parton

almost a done deal

2010-12-30T10:48:00.001-07:00

2010 is.

The streets of San Francisco

2010-12-30T10:39:00.003-07:00

This a view from the plane when I was heading back from San Francisco in March of this year.

Went for an awards ceremony. Great fun. Didn't stay in the downtown area like I had before. Nearer to the airport. Catching the bus line to downtown, I asked this guy for directions on using the bus system. He volunteered to show me where I was trying to go. But first he insisted we eat hot dogs-- he had a polish one that he offered me a bite from. uhm, no thanks, I've got mine--at Costco.

There was a car show going on-- I love old cars. An affinity for Chevy's 'cause they remind me of that little car on the back of the Little Golden Books I had as a child. Like Ford Fairlanes too.

There was also a rally going on. Protesting war and a variety of other things.

I love the architecture there. One day I will have to share my first experience of San Fran and post the pics from it.

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