Outbid!

Once again I have been outbid for the book A Candle in her Room on eBay. I read this book several times as a young girl and had forgotten the name, but the plot stayed with me. It is about an evil doll named Dido that haunts three generations of girls in one family. I finally found out the name because I was searching for information about the singer "Dido". I found a web page that described the book, and realized it was the one I had been looking for.

I think I have tried to bid on this book 5 times now and each time I am outbid. I really don't want to spend more than $20 on it, including shipping, but it looks like I am going to have to if I really want to own it. Actually if I could just find it in a library I could just read it and be happy. It might not be the same any more, I mean it might not effect me the same way as it did as a child.

What bothers me about the bidders on eBay is that I am wondering if they want the book for personal reasons or because they know they might be able to sell it for a lot more. Not that it makes a difference, but it seems so mercenary if that is the case.

This weekend we had a pleasant time visiting with Dean's sister's son, Chris and his wife, Sheri, who drove up to Bethesda from Gainesville, Florida on Saturday. Unfortunately they could only stay Saturday night and had to leave at 4 on Sunday as they had plans to meet up with friends in Charlottesville, Virginia. Chris is applying to medical schools and today he has an interview with UVA in Charlottesville which is about two hours from our house.

Since Chris and Sheri live in Florida, they don't get a chance to see the Autumn colors that we take for granted in the northern states. We planned on driving to Sugarloaf Mountain and hiking. Clare must have had too much Halloween candy because she complained of a stomach ache. I was forced to remain home with her, while Dean and Andrew went with our visitors. They came back all tired out, so I think they had a good time.

Was supposed to go to a reception for the volunteers of the Library of Congress today at 2:00 but since Dean is out of town, I felt uncomfortable not being here when the kids got home. I hope they get a lot of people there, not that my absence will be noticed.

Worked on the plans for the web design club I am leading at Pyle on Wednesday afternoons. I am creating a web page so students who don't come each week can keep up. Having fun doing it too. I hope the club is a success. I miss working with students.

I am about to continue on my never ending quest for organization around the house. Working on the attic today. Have been lax in the past two days about housework.

Today was Columbus Day (Observed). It was also visiting day in Montgomery County Public Schools. Dean spent the first hour and a half or so with Clare at Pyle. I went to Andrew's Social Studies (or was it Science?) class where the students were building structures out of drinking straws and paperclips. Andrew's group had the tallest structure (the objective for the class). I felt a lot better about his (very young) teacher after seeing her in action.

The plan was that I would go to Bradley Hills and Dean would go to Pyle, but Dean showed up at Bradley Hills at math time and encouraged me to go to Pyle because it would make Clare happy. I did and it turns out that Dean was right. Clare was happy that I showed up. I got to observe her in art (she seemed lonely and sad) and in math where she seemed to be distracted.

It has been a while once again. One of these days I will do this on a regular basis, but not quite yet.

It looks like Blogger has provided us freeloaders with new tools. I will have to check that out too.

Lately I have been encouraged to write from a number of sources, even my own husband. I guess I should follow the advice so as not to die without having tried.

I have proof. I began Blogging before the trend was well known. I began this one over a year ago, but have not added to it much. I read Blogs of other people and am so impressed with the writing of young adults. And here I am, a frustrated writer, hiding in this spot that no one sees.

A lot has happened in this year. Things I can write about and things I should not write about. Spent three weeks in England and Scotland this year.

The sky is cloudy and earlier the leaves were twirling around as if they were caught up in a whirlwind.

Saw Bernstein and the IJBC on Tuesday. It was a fantastic show. When I got to the Iota Club and Cafe I heard my name called. It was Natalie and Chris from the DB eskimo list. Then Bernstein came in with the band. I got a little hug and a kiss on the top of my head. Nat helped me pose Rupert with the band. The one of Bernstein was the best.

The show was great and the band was happy. I forgot to pay my bill at the bar, but will try to make it up sometime. I called the bar and they called back but didn't return my second call. I feel bad, but not bad enough to drive there after work.

Things on the homefront - my brother's ex wife got evicted from her house. Mom says she trashed it pretty bad. How can someone forget to pay the bills? She claims she didn't know what happened. Dean's niece is still with the guy her father and uncle dislike. They threaten that if she marries him he will go down the aisle with broken bones because they will get to him first. She won't be at Christmas this year, as she is going to his family somewhere in a tacky state. I met him and didn't like him much, but she is an adult now and should be allowed to make her own decisions.

I have been dealing with male egos so much lately I want to join a convent. From work things to friends to home life. Why can't men admit that they are not perfect and get on with it?