Impatience…

I know I’m impatient at times, but the part before a trip truly tests my ability to not ricochet off the walls.....waiting to head to the airport – ready to move forward and have a fun trip…...just have to wait…

Potter Puppet pals...

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas….

“Through the years we all will be together, if the Fates allow” – has the same effect on me as “When time, shall have severed us far, and the years their changes bring”. It’s one of my absolute favorite songs…..

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yule-tide gay
From now on our troubles will be miles away

Here were are as in olden days
happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us,
gather near to us once more

Through the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

Merry Christmas!

more animals

Need a little Christmas now.....

Haul out the holly;
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.

For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.

Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute.
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry;

So climb down the chimney;
Put up the brightest string of lights I've ever seen.
Slice up the fruitcake;
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough.

For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Christmas now.

For we need a little music,
Need a little laughter,
Need a little singing
Ringing through the rafter,
And we need a little snappy"Happy ever after",
Need a little Christmas now.

Quietly Cheering...

I got the days off, I bought the plane tickets, I'm going to Tennessee next week - 3 whole days of fun with friends that I have not seen in about 7 months - it feels like ages.

You can talk on the phone but it's not the same as being with them - live and in person.

YAY!!!!!! (insert giddy, bouncy, happy but trying to still be serious at work me here)

Traditions.....

I'm a sucker for tradition - I think that most people know that......

Every year in high school, we sang “Let There Be Peace on Earth” as a closer to our Holiday Concert - alumni would join us and Quam would be in all her glory – it was replaced by the Lutkin Benediction (lovely melody, but I prefered the first song). The last two verses were always sung with such fervor - if you *just* sang it, it would happen....

I happened to find the concert tapes while I was cleaning - they are in the car right now, adding to my festive spirit…..

Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth,
the peace that was meant to be.

With God our Creator,
Children all are we,
Let us walk with each other,
in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me,
let this be the moment now.
With every step I take,
let this be my solemn vow,

To take each moment and live each moment in peace, eternally.
Let there be Peace on Earth,
and let it begin with me.

I am seriously overdue for a visit.....

Texts back and forth about snow = 27

Pix of snow sent = 3

Hugs & love received via text & voice mail = 12

Level of missing my little monkeys = incredible

Wrote this a week ago....

I wrote this a week ago, didn't feel like sharing it then.....but it has been bugging me, so out it comes - *gasp* - "into public".....

Deployment – the word hits me like a punch in the gut – I am proud of anyone who serves our country but selfishly I don’t want my friends to die (not that they will). There is a risk and they know that when they signed up – it’s their choice.

One definite and two “most likely in the next year” – finding this out in the space of a week – ouch.

One of them is quite a ways off but thank God I found out in a group setting - I know that I totally had the “someone just killed my puppy” look on my face – I felt like I was going to pass out – so much for being supportive…….

But we all know that I make one hell of a pen pal and if that’s what I can do to help boost someone’s spirits/keep them entertained/provide distraction while they serve our country, then I will do it and help in my own little way!!!

Lobster?

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No Cabin Fever Here....yet....

Things to Do to Avoid Cabin Fever.....

1. Clean everything that doesn't move
2. Break in new baking stone
3. Enjoy the freshly baked cookies
4. Wrap presents
5. Take a nap (or two)
6. Decide that you want grapefruit - waste half an hour trying to figure out how to get to the store despite the snowfall
7. Clean off car - twice
8. Break the new baking stone (ugh) - clean carnage from the oven
9. Finish Christmas cards
10. Wrap more presents
11. Ponder the benefits of having a "buddy" to get snowed in with (mental note for next time)
12. Harry Potter movie marathon
13. Decide that you want cranberry juice and repeat the grapefruit quest process
14. Read "Breaking Dawn" (still not done!)
15. Field texts from people fascinated by snow pictures
16. Play on ITunes and grump at computer's speed - new RAM is only a few days away!!! :-)

Good Question!

My sister in law asked if I could will her my diaries when I died – she believes that there may be some interesting stuff in them. (mainly because I wouldn’t let her go through my cell phone – lol)

Yes, there is, BUT those journals will not be let out into the world.

Anyway, she brings up a good point - what am I going to do with all of them?

I think that in about ten years I will have to start destroying them – save the date – bonfire time!

*YAWN*

Lazy snowy day.....so nice to just be at home and taking care of random things.......and then taking a nap.....*yawn*......so nice, so cozy, so warm........

Neither rain, no sleet, nor snow.....

Neither rain, no sleet, nor snow will prevent the "Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz".....

Crafty Night....

Wine and making ornaments - a great fun evening last night! And of course there were many, many double entendre jokes - given the nature of the project, it was impossible to avoid.....

Wine Rebate Overload....

I can't resist a deal - I have many, many wine rebates (plus the wine I bought this past weekend) - who is gonna drink all this with me??

Tee-hee....I'm sure that I can gather up some volunteers....

Silly Bunny...

Candy Cane Pen....

On one of my “dealsmith” trips a week ago, I got candy cane pens as stocking stuffers for certain small children in my life…...well, I needed a filler item too, so it all worked out.

Anyway, I kept one and am now using it at work.....I enjoy keeping my inner kid alive – life’s too short to be uptight - plus the ink smells like a candy cane....

I have to write out my Christmas cards tonight, so, if you get a card from me and the ink is black – you may want to sniff it……hee hee hee..….

R.I.P. Good Grammar....

Bad grammar irks me more than some people - must be the whole having an English Teacher as a parent thing.......there may be a cure though...


Society of Promotion of Good Grammar

Angry Quadropeds...

These used to be napkins - the girls were a bit bored/pissy that I was away so long.....

Hey - Car Fire!!

Car fire on the way back – we saw it just after it happened – the first fire truck was just getting there. Luckily everyone was out of the car and safe. But seeing this just reminds me that life is way too short.

Cork use!!

My coffee table is getting pretty darn full of corks - I only keep the ones where I have actually consumed the wine & do not save duplicates - I saw these "grape clusters" - may have to make some!

Ooo, look a chicken!!

"Ooo look a chicken" - that is how our winery tour began - no joke, there were chickens outside and I stoppped mid sentence during check in to say "Ooo look a chicken".

My brother drove us to drink - literally - we toured the lower Hudson Valley wineries during their "Wreath Fineries at the Wineries" event. By bringing a GPS, we were able to hit 9 out of the 10 wineries in 1 day because we didn't get lost. I stayed below budget and only bought 1 case of wine - a nice mix from all the places we visited.

We also played "Beat the Limo Full of Drunks", "Watch out for Melted Black Ice - AHH!" and "Where's the Nuts on the Road?" (only found a penny & a used band aid – no cashews or acorns - lol)

Funny moment - "I’m bored – can I go through your purse?" "OK.....Wait, not the cell phone, look through ANYTHING but the cell phone!!!" "Why?" "Umm, just give it back, give it back, hand it over.....now.....please!!!" Sheesh - I have to lock my phone around adults now. :-P

Ladies & Gentlemen - The Lamp!

The lamp came onstage with Instrument last night - rather amusing and it had to be photographed.

I had a blast last night - even made some new friends.

The highlight reel:

“Ten Penny on Instrument” – I thought I was going to place a bet on a horse

Drunk Kansas guy – “Don’t marry a girl in the Navy” and my name ends with a C – find me on FB!!

Italian Jamie – the boy wears Chucks – instant pinkie-swearing shot buddy

Dance partner reunion – “Hey, I know you!!”

Shiny potato sack – still laughing at that one

Jennifer Hill playing the song that was not sung by Jesus

Hitler had a German Shepherd named Blondi??

Are you petting me? Meow!

Ok, I have a thing for carrots – no need to give me the rest of the garnish – ha, ha.

No gig is complete without some Polka – why was I the only one that knew how to?

Seeing my favorite Mouseketeers and making Mickey jealous that I shared a chair with Minnie – until the knee incident – lol.

Finally got to see Jesse Newman play!

I'm tired but in a good way – it was very well worth staying later than I had planned to.

Brocorri....

Brocorri cat....

LOL here.....

Not guilty – y’all got to feel me!

H to the izz O, V to the izz A (hey, it says Vizzy!)
I am SO grateful that I was able to appeal my traffic ticket. Especially since I got a ticket a month before I got this one - on Mother’s Day – on my way to meet up with mom – who called me 10 minutes after getting the ticket to tell me that she was running late and to take my time. Not worth it to hike back up to the Berkshires to contest it so I lost my “Good Driver” discount on my insurance. I hadn’t gotten a ticket in 7 years!!!

I got this one back in June, speeding up to pass someone – clocked at 83 in a 65 – whoops, but not a full 20 mph over the limit.

So, I went in – didn’t argue, just stated my case about wanting a lesser penalty since I was definitely driving faster than the posted limit and could not argue with a radar. I explained why I paid the previous ticket and then showed proof of my 7 years without a ticket. The magistrate said” Good girl for telling the truth. Your attitude is refreshing” and sent me on my way with my official “Not Guilty” sheet.

Yay!

Fruitcake Uses...

Tis the season - enjoy!

If you are someone who actually enjoys fruitcake than this post is not for you and I would like your address so I can send you any fruitcakes that I receive.

On the other hand, if you don't like fruitcakes and you received one this year, then here are a few other uses for it.

1. Toss it in the freezer (mark it well) and use it as filler so the freezer is more efficient
2. Use it as a candle holder. Smush 2-3 candles into the top and any wax that drips will add to the 'beauty' of the holder
3. Sit it outside in the winter to harden and use it as a 'paper weight' for the newspaper or to scrape the snow and mud off of your boots.
4. Prop up something, like a recipe book while you are cooking
5. If you have multiples, use them for book ends or for weight while gluing something for a craft project
6. Depending on the shape, round ones are best, you can use them as boosters for reaching items or for kids in chairs
7. Hide valuables in it by hallowing out the middle and placing your expensive jewelry in a baggie, inside. I guarantee you the burglars will pass this one up.
8. Hardened fruitcake can be used as an alternative to a brick or shoe for hammering or for squishing bugs
9. Drop it on the floor in front of the door as a door stop
10. Cut up the fruitcake for your family's new tradition, fruitcake sports, such as - fruitcake shot-put or the fruitcake hurl.
11. Keep a fruitcake in the trunk of your car for weight or for when you need to chock the front of your tire when jacking up your car
12. Drop a smaller fruitcake in your toilet tank to save on water
13. A great emergency anchor for your boat
14. Slice it up for any wobbly furniture
15. They make great pin cushions!
16. Since animals won't eat it, use it to plug the critter holes in your house
17. Use as an alternative to hay bales or bricks

And added by one of my friends....
18. Fruitcake battle ax
19. Fruitcake crash helmet.

Lawn Wars...

How to run your business into the ground…

Just some examples....

Get your facts straight before jumping to conclusions – yelling at the company that you want to do business with because you confused their name with someone that sold you faulty machinery is not a good strategy. Attempt to live load 5 containers in 1 day with a 3 man crew and no overtime. Look at the balance sheets and exclaim “Oh, we owe more than we have coming in – that’s bad!”

Take all your papers from your desk and put them in one drawer so that the desk is clean. Then try to find the bank statements that you need for the accountant. Open the drawer and say “I think that they are in there somewhere – oh, we need the info in the morning”. (it’s 4:15 pm)

Start important meetings 15 minutes before you have to leave the office. Then don’t return until 4:30 and act surprised that everyone is taking care of last minute things and two employees have already left for the day (at their regularly scheduled time).

Look at a paper and say “What’s this? This is important! I have been looking for this” – when it’s been in the drawer of papers the whole time.

Don't show up for other meetings, don’t answer your cell phone when you are called about the meeting (first to remind you and then later to let you know that the person is here) and fail to notify the other meeting participants that they need to be at this location until 1/2 an hour into the meeting (after you are already really late anyway and they have a good 45 minute drive).

Ask people to take care of certain things who have no way, shape or form the job skills required/certification/knowledge for what hasn’t been done – they just happen to cross your path and you need a scapegoat in front of the meeting person.

Argh……

Heh.....

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Brain Drain...

I'm running in so many directions at work today that my brain has just shut off - I got an email and read the subject line of "Holiday crop" as "Holiday crap".......my 5 minutes of down time was spent laughing at myself.

Martha Stewart & Cookie Monster...

I could not find Paula Dean & Kermie (I can't call him Kermit, it's Kermie!!) making a cake....

Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?

I found an older CD in my car this morning (too many nooks and crannies to store CD’s) it was a 2004 mix that I made. Of course I had to listen to it!

On comes Peter Murphy’s “Keep Me From Harm” – the mind instantly wanders to when I would go see Rhesin play in NYC – Milton’s voice was incredible and this was their signature cover song – it’s also where I got the not-so-often-used nickname of Vizgoth…..but I digress.

I started thinking about covers - bands take a bit of a risk. (Think Alien Ant Farm’s “Smooth Criminal – I’m still on the fence) If you like the original, you may take offense at the cover or you may end up liking the cover better. Then you go see your friend’s band play and you realize halfway through the song that you are grooving along to “King of Wishful Thinking” – yup, I still know all the words!

So, if you had to make a CD of your favorite cover tunes, what would you put on there? (my list is of songs that I like just as much as the original)

Solitary Man – H.I.M. (it was a tough since I like their versions of “Don’t Fear the Reaper” and “Wicked Game” too)
Land of Confusion – Disturbed
Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe – Afghan Whigs
More Than This – 10,000 Maniacs
Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – Rolling Stones (this won out over their version of “Like a Rolling Stone”)
Tainted Love – Marilyn Manson
Mama Kin - Aerosmith
Always on My Mind - Pet Shop Boys
Heroes - Wallflowers
Oh Bla Di – No Doubt
In Your Eyes – Dartmouth Aires
You Belong to Me - Vonda Shepard
We Go Together – Less Than Jake
Under Pressure - Annie Lenox & David Bowie
Save the Last Dance For Me - Michael Buble
Purple Haze – The Cure

Of course there are covered Stones songs that I love….they did the songs justice and then some….
Bitch – Goo Goo Dolls
Wild Horses – The Sundays
Beast of Burden – Buckwheat Zydeco

PS. Totally Random - The CD also has a Soul For Real song snuck in – I forgot about them! In case you want to know, I prefer “Every Little Thing I Do” over “Candy Rain”……

Welcome....

I found a home for my handmade full of glittery goodness Twilight ornament (thanks Brenda!) - this will be it's place until it ends up on the tree. But it won't be packed away in January, it just belongs on display with the books.....

Good Times....

Got to see mom yesterday – it gave her a break from all the craziness that she has dealing with between work and grandma.

It was adorable to see the look of awe on her face - seeing the new stadium and the way that the UCMB has changed since I was a part of it. She cried during the introduction of all the band seniors. I cried as they introduced soldiers who were back from overseas and were now able to finish their degrees.

She needed a day to get away and have fun and I’m glad that I was able to provide it. Plus a bunch of hugs don’t hurt either!

Military Ties...

The company I work for has strong military ties – besides the projects that they do (let’s move 4 tons of buoys - yay!) – half the family is in the armed forces.

Given the big Army/Navy rivalry, family get togethers are amusing. Heck, even when a bunch of them stop by to visit, it ends up as a debate.

One of the younger ones – he’s 20 – is off to sea – in a submarine......that he is now trained to drive. I hear from his cousins how he’s toodling around in this big tin can. He’s a good kid, but wow – he has an incredible amount of firepower at his command.

Good Thing He's Legal....

Vampire-playing Robert Pattinson admits he sometimes slips into character when he's out with the ladies.

"I've been known for a little nibble," he told reporters at the London premiere of Twilight.

Obviously he is a fan of my blog - I *just* know that he read my "Here's My Neck" post on 11/25/08!! I'll just sit here and wait for him....*sigh* Back to reality.....

Savings......

CVS savings so far = $2,251.73.

It also means that I have a great supply of shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, body wash, deodorant, toothpaste, detergent, vitamins, pain reliever, cold and other assorted medicine, razors, air freshener and a free waffle maker. (after the stuff that I already donated and sold at the garage sale this summer)

I should have kept track of my savings at Rite Aid, Walgreens and what I got back in rebates. Maybe next year....

Take the compliment!!

I gassed up my car last night and took a moment to fill up my windshield wiper fluid. I was aware that the older gentleman at the pump in front of me was watching - I just went about my routine. When I was done, he pipes up and says "Wow, you are very self sufficient!". I must have looked confused because he then said "It's a good thing!"

I took the compliment, I know that he meant well, but I almost snipped back "Well, yeah - I don't have anyone else to do it for me!" Not that I would look for anyone else to do it, but this is the second person in a very short period of time to comment on my gas station skills. (the other time I was cleaning off the windshield with the squeegee thingie - I do miss NJ where they do it for you.)

Funny how hard it is to accept a compliment sometimes......

Odd point - the couple that was gassing up next to me felt compelled to not only lock their car but add The Club when they went inside to pay for their gas. It was a cheap little car. Maybe they were part of a car theft war?

“You are like my own personal brand of heroin….”

I have to confess – I saw Twilight again. As with anything that makes me happy/I find fun/gives me pleasure/makes me smile/ok, you get the point – I will do it.

Everyone in the theater did the following at the same time - snickered at Edward’s discomfort in Biology class, cheered for the silver Volvo maneuvers in Port Angeles, clapped when Stephanie Meyer made her appearance and laughed at “I leave you alone for two minutes and the wolves get you”.

I had the “she’s perfect” thought again when Alice came on the screen. I played “Spot the Cullen Crest” – never saw one on Jasper and Emmett but the other ones are quite visible. (Rosalie did remove hers to play baseball)

I got to cheer “Yay Cullen Cars!” – Carlisle’s Benz is just beautiful – but we already new that.

And I was able to focus on the music. I know that RPazz recorded two songs for the soundtrack – one is played during the dinner date and the second during the end of the fight scene when Edward makes “the big decision”. I love the music during the “Bella figures it out part” – it’s just haunting. Plus Bella’s lullaby is woven through most of the movie – I just didn’t recognize it the first time around.

Yup, it will be mine when released on DVD…….

Chondola!

I'm intrigued - I heard the radio ad and had to investigate....the Chondola....

Umm, it's weird - chairlifts and gondolas on the same lift.....ski patrol nightmare?

Lift evac would not be fun.....

One Seal to Rule Them All....

See this? It is the bane of my existence today.

This piece of metal and plastic was hunted down (it was not where it was supposed to be), recorded with the steamship line (5 minutes before the deadline) and I am now closely guarding it until it can be passed on to “the one who will seal the container”. Yup, it’s a container seal.

If it disappears, it sets of a chain reaction that may end the world as we know it. (or just delay the shipment of one machine that needs to be on another continent)

I will have to give it a name since it’s my new best friend. Perhaps Fred?

Evil School Bus...

The archnemesis of any commuter - the school bus....

It lurks around the corner until I get to my car - I see it out of the corner of my eye as it drives by. And I know that I will be stuck behind it as it stops at every other house…….ugh, what happened to all the kids waiting at the corner together?

And is it bad that I am chanting "get the f*#k on the bus" the whole time? (same rhythm as “get the f*#k off the bus” in college)

I do wave when the kids in the back of the bus wave to me.....but I still continue my chant...

Oh Santa....

I sure can’t wait until Santa brings me some more RAM for Christmas!! My very slow home computer is driving me nuts. And I have been good – I make my bed every day!!

We have a tree!

For the sake of being P.C. (politically correct, not Pampered Chef), this is being called a cuppola tree……

More Swedish Chef...

Because it's funny.....

Robot Chicken & the Swedish Chef

Too Early for Cabin Fever....

I feel the urge to go gamble today – it would be fun to hang out with the Indians in their teepee - I have not been to play in a while.....

French Toast??

We have to buy eggs, bread and milk!!

Are we making French Toast??

Nope, it’s starting to snow - panic!!

I went out to get a newspaper and the crowd at the supermarket was ridiculous.

I shouldn't be surprised - it happens every time there's snow in the forecast.....

CVS pwnage on Turkey Day.....

This is what we did Thanksgiving morning - the bottom receipt is 10’ 3 “ long. We knew that all the free stuff would be gone early Friday morning and I had no desire to wake up at 4 am. So we got a day-pass from "famliy lockdown" to go to CVS. (Family lockdown = spend time with just the family and ignore the outside world)

I didn’t notice this but my brother said that the Indians (dot, not feather) that were in the store kept checking to see what I grabbed – including the waffle maker. They are the “grand poobahs” of dealsmithing – I take it as a compliment that they were comparing loot.

My brother was a trooper while shopping with me – after our second CVS deal trip on Friday, he agreed to go to Linens N Things to check out the liquidation – turns out he had no idea what they sold until we stepped inside – “Oh…..house crap”. But he found a present for mom that we know she needs - no price tag - we figured out later that they gave it to him for 80% off regular retail! And I found two lamps for my living room – I’m being stubborn and waiting until they drop more in price. I don’t need them, but if they get to a certain price point, they will be coming home with me.

He gets bonus points for agreeing to stop at a scrapbook store. I never get to this particular one since I don’t travel near it – our trek led us right past it. (I negotiated a 20 minute pit stop.) It was so great to spend time a chunk of time with him - we haven't hung out in a while. His wife is great and I enjoy my time with both of them but it's different when we have our own "sibling time".

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Not Turkey, But Still Funny...

Skibur, Skibur....

Drive Time....

Most of my drive time is always spent catching up with people that I have not talked to for months.

Recently it included someone who went on a date with one of the store managers from back in my mall days – they called me together as a reference check – very cute.

I also conduct mini counseling sessions – you call me for my opinion, you know exactly what I will say (that’s why you call me “the logical one”) and then try to convince me otherwise. If after the first sentence I say “this is a bad idea”, then most likely I will believe that it’s a REALLY bad idea by the end of our chat.

The most recent 2 am call was much more amusing – “I’m just gonna vent, ok?” Okey-dokey, I’m snug and toasty, I’ll listen. And that raised my pedestal by 2 whole feet. Good thing I’m not scared of heights, but then being told that I’m perfect did scare me.

Nooone is perfect, it’s our flaws that make us who we are. The people in your life should find your flaws endearing – they should love you, warts and all – I’m very lucky that I have people around me that enjoy my talking and my silly disclaimers. (even though I have been overusing “No Pressure” and “not that I think that….” lately – need to find a new one)

Smoke Detectors...

OK, it's time for a non-Twilight post....I did not write this, but I had to share......

Regular fire alarms are great, if blind panic helps you feel safer. “Hey! Wake up! BEEP BEEP BEEP!

There’s a deadly emergency going on somewhere in your house! Guess where? BEEP BEEP BEEP!

Or maybe it’s a false alarm! Good luck figuring it out! BEEP BEEP BEEP!

And here’s a deafening noise to help you think it through! BEEP BEEP BEEP! BEEP BEEP BEEP! BEEP BEEP BEEP!”

I Heart My Car...

"If you lived forever, what car would you live for?''

Volvo one of the stars of 'Twilight'

Tee-hee.....

Here's My Neck...

"The idea of this incredibly seductive creature wanting to bite your neck. And if he does, on one level it could be pleasurable. If he goes too far, you could die. That kind of razor's edge, that sexual tension, is incredibly seductive."

Umm, yeah, I’ve known that for at least a decade….works in real life too….

Get Fuzzy

Sneaky snaggletoothed cat....

Twilight Thoughts...

I've been trying to figure out why the books touch me the way that they do. They are more than a work of fiction - in some weird way, they give me hope for the future by channeling my totally girly romantic side.

We all wanted that type of love – and in some ways want it still – even though we know how much more fun adults can have.

Look back to a time when you didn’t have venom in your veins and didn’t punish the next person for the heartbreak caused by the previous one - everything was innocent. “Just a kiss” was steamy.

And hearing "Look after my heart, I left it with you", "You are my life now", "He loves you more than you know, it terrifies him to be away from you" and "You are not exactly the love of my life - because I plan on loving you longer than that - you are the love of my existence" is not cheesy - it's sweet.

And my favorite exchange "Do you have any idea how much I love you?" "No, but I know how much I love you." "You compare a tree to the forest"

This is Twilight......

Another one!

Excellent.....Another Twilight convert – my godfather’s daughter – granted it was actually written for her age group!

Mini-Tour....

I did a mini-friend tour yesterday.

Brunch with friends that I have not seen since February.

Afternoon with other friends for some much needed craft time.

And the tour ended with the viewing of Twilight. *sigh*

Getting to see Twilight on the big screen was completely drool-worthy and gush - worthy (it’s a word, really!)

Edward and his eyes, Carlisle’s black Benz (purr), Carlisle himself, the stunning imagery of Forks and Jacob’s pearly whites – all better on the almost IMAX-size screen. (and worth seeing again and again and again…..)

Yay for Fall!

I say it every year - Fall = pumpkin spice coffee.

I decided to add hot apple cider with a shot of caramel or cinnamon syrup (or both!) to the list. It takes a bit of the nip out of the air.

Now all I need is a jump into a pile of crunchy leaves.....

Mission Objective.....

To Do List

1. Shiny Egg Global Treasury – 18 years of data entered and bills ready to go out - also involving a fun game of "Dead or Alive with the M-O-M person – Check
2. Got pipes inspected during witchhunt of “the leak” – Check and it’s not my unit
3. Claim Christmas presents – Check
4. Order online gifts and get credit on Mypoints and MrRebates - Check
5. Pot roast and veggies simmering in crock pot – Check
6. Find spider that bit me 3 times last night – Negative
7. Mail cereal rebate and free Charlie Brown Christmas video form - Check
8. Recover Senor Shrimp from under the tv stand – Check (he was hanging out with hot pink mouse that has been missing for a few months)
9. Read Eclipse – Not yet, the spider hunt may have to wait

Seriously?

Folks, are we REALLY this lazy?

Who spends $55 on a machine that will shake your martini for you???

Man Down!!!

Return of Boondock Saints...

They probably should not mess with it, but there is a second Boondock Saints moving coming out and I will go see it.

Bobby Marley shared while on set - check it out.

See ya on the flip side....

Laughs for a Friday....

Ten Reasons it Would Rule to Date a Unicorn

http://mingle2.com/dating/unicorn

Nine Reasons Not to Date a T-Rex

http://mingle2.com/blog/view/dating-tyrannosaurus

Interpretation...

Mom actually sells shovels at Home Depot......

More to chomp on....

Yay! I finally won one!

Winfreedolesalad.com - if you are interested....

I’m in grocery mode anyway - I have to go do a $10 cereal rebate purchase later – all 5 boxes will end up being free (after adding in the coupons).

Hooray for having money to spend on other stuff besides life’s necessities!!

Truth...

All the good weekend stuff......

Most of the weekend was still an absolute blast – despite my last post.

Full on Girl-power, Twilight obsessing, whip yielding, Hunkomania-ing, “more drinking” demanding, NYC locals commentary-ing, dancing, A.D.D. chatting, Pony-shouting, pizza bribing (no mine!), singing, mansion mazing, not Clue playing, brain sharing, spa-ing, no shutting up-ing, licking, flashing, partying fun.

Oh yeah, throw in a suggestive pickle and some straws too. (chomp, chomp, chomp)

Somebody get me through this nightmare.....

I can't escape this hell
So many times I've tried
But I'm still caged inside
Somebody get me through this nightmare
I can't control myself

So what if you can see the darkest side of me?
No one will ever change this animal I have become
Help me believe it's not the real me
Somebody help me tame this animal

I can't escape myself
So many times I've lied
But there's still rage inside
Somebody get me through this nightmare
I can't control myself

Of course there’s a song that can sum up what I feel. That's what band geeks do.

One text makes me go from happy to angry and then I do over the top things to distract myself. I am a force of nature when I get like that – I am very well aware of that. And like a tornado-cane, I will pull others into my path.

I know that I made that choice to be angry - I could have ignored it, but I reacted. End result is that I regret some of my actions and feel compelled to apologize because I did not reign in my spontaneous side.

So how long am I going to continue to react to a situation that is beyond f-ed up and totally out of my control? I normally cover it well, but I was overcompensating the other night. Not an excuse by any means – just a bad decision.

I do love being up in this area, but it's missing something - I feel like I'm treading water – distracting myself and killing time until I figure out what to do with my life. At times I feel like a shark - I have to keep moving or I will die.

Not crazy, just confused. And sick and tired of not having the clarity that I used to have.

Argh.

PS. I truly am sorry. You know who you are - not sure if you read this or not - but I had to say it "in public". You rock in many ways that you don't always get credit for and my life would not be the same if you were not in it.

Thinking.....

Shh...brain....quit it...

Be quiet brain.....

I need sleep but my mind is racing since I'm a bit mad at myself. I wrote a post to get it out of my head yet I'm not ready to let it go live.

Weekend Brain Mush....

Fun weekend but I’m tired, my brain is mush and my body needs to detox.

There are many thing that I could say but I will stick to these - Pony!, Oreo, “Is this The Cure? No way!” and I will never shut up – even if it is part of the wedding itinerary.

A Smile for a Twilighter....

Black Benz Goes Vroom.....

Purr - the vehicle of the Cullen patriarch - just missing the dark tints since the vampires have to hide their sparkle. Sigh - these books were destined to be movies. And I love that they are making sure that all the details are correct in order to keep the rabid fans happy.

Gag.....the bad kind.....

I’m all for good health, but drinking undiluted apple cider vinegar and honey to lower your cholesterol? Ick.

I am gagging from the smell.

Solution? I'm sniffing my hair.

I knew I knew it!!

So, there’s a song that has been on the outskirts of my mind for the past couple of weeks – it keeps randomly popping up. I heard it in a bar, instantly knew the melody and lyrics but could not place the title or artist but I knew that I knew the song.

Last night I had the “Eureka” moment – the song was covered by the Stones and I heard the original by the Temptations that weekend. Phew!

Oh yeah, the song is “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” – I hauled out my Stones tapes and happily listened to it three times as I drove in to work today. Sometimes it takes so little to make me happy.......

Ain't too proud to beg, sweet darlin
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
Ain't to proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don't leave me, girl, don't you go

"Bite Me".....

Young Fan Asks Twilight Star Robert Pattison to "Bite Me" – the kid is seven!! Who let her read those books?!?!?

He talked about this in another interview too. Here are the facts:

A. He can’t for legal reasons
B. “It’s gonna hurt” (his words – the accent on “hurt” made me sigh)
C. He’s not really a vampire (even though he’s dead – Voldemort killed him in Goblet of Fire)
D. He does not drive a shiny silver Volvo.

Sniff….Not a shiny silver Volvo driving vampire in real life…....hopefully he'll be able to find other movies roles after finishing this series.

Too early to Feliz!!

I was not prepared to hear “Feliz Navidad” when I walked into AC Moore last night. I know it’s Christmas music season for the next two months, but it’s still too early. But nowadays, you see Christmas merchandise in stores two weeks before Halloween.

It bothered me that Santa would show up a week before Black Friday. It used to be that Santa would show up when he was done being a part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

I have been a cog in the retail machine – I know that it’s a business. But right now, I’m glad that I’m on the other side and I can shop without being hounded. (And I can digest my turkey without being told that Santa broke his ankle in the parking garage, luckily not seen by any small kids cursing and that we need to find a new naturally bearded Santa in an hour.)

October retail sales fell to 1969 lows – just reinforces the fact that I am glad to be out of that industry. And when I get around to it, I will work on my book about mall life.

Tricky....

Ah, Suzuki – you got me to watch your commerical – very sneaky. I stopped fast forwarding because you used a French Bulldog. I can’t resist the cuteness of that breed. Good job.

Thank You Veterans!

Happy Veteran's Day! Thank you to everyone that has helped make the country safe!

Of course there has to be a jerk in the mix - Police said a thief made off with 500 old cell phones that were intended for the Cell Phones for Soldiers charity on the evening before Veterans Day.

Therapy Tuesday....

A little while ago, a bunch of us were discussing things that we do for our mental health - ceramic painting, dance class, actual therapy sessions, knitting, etc - a pattern emerged - it all happens on Tuesdays.

I shop on Tuesdays - does that count? Or should I look for some other form of "Therapy"?

Casting Call...

It was inevitable – I’ve cast my own version of Twilight. (You can’t deny that chemistry.)

The books just hit WAY too close to home.

Thank you Book 2 for tearing out my heart (again), dredging up the pain that was beaten into submission and then picking at the scab with a lemon soaked toothpick (yeah, ouch is right).

Stephanie Meyer – get out of my head……..

But I will not stop reading – No Way, Nuh-uh, No How……

Just Add A Tini....

Gingerbread-tinis

2 parts Starbucks Liquor
1 part Hot Damn
1 part Butter-Shots

Shake over ice

Yummy……worth the inevitable (and horrible) sugar crash…..

Here Sushi Fish....

I have to move – the only decent sushi place within 20 miles of me closed.

Game over man......game over....

Bunnies....

Because everything can be summed up in 30 seconds by bunnies.....

Titanic

Señor Shrimp's Rescue...

No, no kittehs....Señor Shrimp does not live under the fridge....

Silly quadropeds.....I came home to the agony and despair of not being able to reach Señor Shrimp - for he was under the fridge - poor Señor Shrimp.....I gave them a stern talking to......we shall see where Señor Shrimp ends up tomorrow when I come home......but for now, he is safe....

Wasn't me.....

Caused by a Volvo...wasn't me....

Tanker Crash

Election Day!

I went and voted. Even got to shake the hand of Mr. “Candidate for Overkill” who sent me mail and left me messages every day for the past three weeks. It’s like running the gauntlet to get into the voting location.

I got to vote about pot, taxes and greyhounds - and that whole presidential thing too. I have stayed away from this topic because no matter who you vote for, someone will not agree with you. I really do not want to argue with people about my beliefs – they are mine, I am not going to change them and I agree to disagree.

"USA – 1776 – 2008 – R.I.P." - Interestingly enough, one radio station was kept repeating this.

No matter the outcome, changes will take place with a new president. Maybe not what some people were expecting and definitely not as quickly as some people think it could happen.

I am proud that I live in a country where I have the right to choose and that is what I did today.

OK, soapbox is put away. I am now choosing to have another cup of coffee with my pumpkin spice muffin (a perk of living in New England).

Bad Tivo...

Bad, bad Tivo – I know that I’ve been neglecting you while enraptured by vampires, but did you have to go and erase two (not one, but TWO) of the new CSI episodes??

I only get Grissom for a few more episodes and then he’s gone…..you couldn’t go and cut Horatio….nooooo, it had to be Grissom….

Well, changes have been made and other shows will be cut as a result of this behavior. Grr.

First turtleneck….

I am wearing my first turtleneck of the season. Paired with a wool plaid skirt and knee-high black leather boots, but it still is a sign of the cold weather season!

Partly because I was cold this morning and partly because I have a raspy voice – I am not going to accept that I may be sick.

This weekend I did tear myself away from Twilight long enough to do the “Great Winter Wardrobe Switchover” – the thing that my southern friends don’t quite understand and also find amusing. You move the summer clothes out of the closet and put in the winter ones – the summer clothes are in a trunk and will wait for spring (or a trip to Florida).

These are the same people that just look uncomfortable when you bundle them up to go outside and play in the snow – they’re just not used to wearing lots of clothes! (to them, clothes are awkward)

And my big puffy comforter is out of storage – I hit snooze twice, snuggled in and made myself a fort. Definitely a winter perk!

Once Bitten....

Everything has ground to a halt - only Bella & Edward exist.....

When I'm not reading Twilight, the characters call to me......my thoughts drift to what could happen next.....all it takes is one bite.....

I really haven't sunk my teeth into (sorry, I can't help it) a book like this for quite some time. Book one is almost done, three more to go. I think that I can finish the series before the movie comes out.

This may explain my love for H.I.M., their lead singer very well could be a vampire......and I would not mind that bite....

Not one, but 2 of them!

Wicked Happy Halloween!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Wicked Happy Halloween! I wore my horns to work - they blend in just enough to be subtle - should be fun when we meet with the company's attorney later.

Corkscrew in the Car....

My mini-survey of the day was started because I recently visited with a friend when she was in the area and we bought a bottle of wine. Small moment of panic when we realized that we had nothing to open it with until I announced that I have a travel corkscrew in the car. *Insert look of puzzlement on my friend's face here*

Anyone else find it odd that I have a corkscrew in the car? It’s travel sized, not the one that you find in a home bar. Maybe it’s a Latvian thing?

People may scoff but they are very happy when I am able to get the bottle of wine open!

Ninjas...

My car got a new windshield - fascinating process - even more interesting is how clear the new one is. 177,777 miles of stuff flying at the windshield certainly take a toll. And for those of you wondering, I've only taken the car up to 120 mph even though the dial clearly shows that it has more potential.

Homecoming....

There’s a reason they call it Homecoming.

You spend time with people that you don’t get to see on a daily basis. You joke about memories and make new ones. You offer brownies and candy corn to complete strangers. You have a fun drunken conversations in the bathroom. (we didn’t play Marco Polo this year) You invade book signings – “Hey, you want some points?”. You end up licking a new friend. (for the record - he asked for it). You joke with a legend only to find yourself called one as well. You bump into one of the best trumpet players from your freshman year. You sing the Alma Mater with a mass of people that understand what it means to you and why you have to stay to the end of the game.

You go out to dinner with a large group, get a recap on more people’s lives and laugh – a lot. You go out to a bar to catch up with more friends, dance to good songs (some of my private favs that were unexpectedly played), dance with silly drunk boys, get to control the different colored lights in the bar (my mini-God moment – some people have fun jobs) and then head out smiling at the end of a very long day.

And after all that, I needed and got to take a very long and very satisfying shower. It was a good Homecoming.

PTSD....

It's impossible to read this and not think about Pelkey - he chose to end his life (leaving behind his wife and child)insted of returning back to Iraq for the third time.

"About one in six veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan suffers from PTSD," depression or anxiety."

Our soldiers and their families sacrifice alot for our country.

Regardless of their function in the armed forces, they make sacrifices so that we can sleep safely at night. It's not a lot but Thank You!

Seriously??

I have been reading way too many news articles today.....

Seriously? Like they are living with a constant threat.

"No members of the Peabody force were killed on September 11"

If the NYPD, who has WAY more of a connection to that day, does not get a paid holiday or extra pay that day, then they have no right to ask until the NYPD gets it. And even then it would be debatable!

Just Tase 'Em!!

Sheesh - Amnesty International has a problem with taser use. They do so many good things and then come out with this.

The article is old, but the argument has come up again - apparently the cops in Mass have been tasering.....alot.

Well, I see it this way - they could have been shooting these people instead!!!

Life is better with a purple feather....

I had to take off my horns and my mask to try it on, but it was so well worth it - I have my hat.

A fun time at a different Ren Faire - not better, just different.

Plus I had a great time watching the different friend circles in my life get along - just like I knew that they would.

We discovered that a "yard of beer" is only 18 inches, that instinctively you will eat a gummy worm even if it's handed to you by a freak in a box, that Rick Astley is alive and well and performing in a teal kilt and the best defense against a zombie pirate is a peacock headdress.

The friend blending continued Sunday night with another guest star from NJ who met us for dinner and drinks (emphasis on the drinks).

Good times makes the weekend go by way too fast!

“Go Avay"

Anyone who knows me for more than 10 minutes hears about my grandma - Mom’s mom, the battleax, sailed the seven seas free as a refugee of war, etc.

You pour wine from a bottle and you are an alcoholic, you take her to a restaurant and she thinks it’s “some bar”, she won’t wear a hearing aid because “you need that when you get old”, and she still won’t bring her cane into church. Oh, and she would still be driving if we “hadn’t taken the keys away!” (those hit and runs really didn’t happen…..right….).

She’s never been warm and fuzzy and as she’s gotten older, she’s just gotten even nastier. She dials 911 to get the car that is parked in front of her house removed, she stumbled two houses down for the German couple to call the ambulance for her but not the next door neighbors since they are the “wrong race”, she blames the fact that my mom is an only child on her dead husband, rips apart her companion of 10 years for not being a nice man (SO not true), she thinks that the end of my mall job was due to something that she said 30 years ago and is forever driven by “Ko tad cilveki teiks?” (what will people say).

She landed herself in the hospital last weekend. 4:30 am Sunday, my mom gets a call and before the nurse can say anything, mom hears “Let me out of here! Let me out of here!” in the background. Grandma had ripped out her IV’s and tried to call the police and a taxi before making a break for the door. The hospital called for permission to sedate her.

So, the hospital was excited to get rid of grandma and send her away to a rehab facility. She’s supposed to be there two weeks to re-cooperate – she’s been there two days – lying to the therapist saying that she never falls down, telling everyone that she hates them and recently started a hunger strike. “Go avay – I hate you”. This from the woman who complains that she’s bored and lonely at home.

My mom tells me these stories and I try not to laugh because I know that mom is stressing. Everyone who lives with grandma has died of a stroke, so she is not moving in with mom. She never handed over power of attorney because she really didn’t plan on dying – same goes for buying a house closer to my mom. You have to admire her fighting spirit, but I can only imagine how much worse it’s going to get.

How can you say no??

see more puppies

But it’s my bone!! HOWL!!!

Big dog takes little dog’s rawhide bone, little dog channels his beagle side and howls ALOT, big dog has to be distracted with a real bone. Both are then happy.

Work drama at it’s best. (but good thing I wasn’t on the phone)

Magic Shoes....

"Mama said they was my magic shoes......"

Pure cuteness - Pink Chucks (Converse All Stars – Chuck Taylors for those who do not know) on one of the twins - so little!!!

I had way too much fun watching them go through the house and open the cabinet door, close the cabinet door, open, close, open, close, open, select a ramekin and a bottle of Lysol and then go booking down the hallway…..It’s amazing how well they get access to everything that they shouldn’t touch.

Love them or hate them as a couple - they still take great pix.....these are from the first W shoot - can't wait to see the newest ones!!