Jambalaya...

My friends are reflections of me and anyone that is in my life now, I pretty much expect them to be there for quite some time….

So I truly enjoy it when the various parts of my life mesh - Latvian friends click with the American friends, CT friends click with the NJ friends, Band geeks click with the Ren Fair geeks, etc. A jambaylaya of my flavors, if you will….

The girls have melded together well and I had the opportunity to see if the boys would play nicely as well…(There are some that will NEVER meet….that whole “I peed on you” thing clouds judgment)

Anyway, I was glad that everyone got along - not like I had any doubts about that!!

Some of the more amusing quotes from the past two days since I had a French-Canadian vistor…..

Upon seeing a Canadian geese family - “Hey, aren’t those your people??”

I also found that you can't say “Bienvenue!!” to everyone wearing Canadian stuff.…they will not respond in kind….

And in the span of a minute, I had two bird adventures. Saw a crow attack two turkey vultures – full on dive bomb mode and while walking past the Canadian Geese family that was having issues with a Swan, we got hissed at. So I launched into a round of “Be cool man, be cool - we don't want any trouble! Just everyone be cool!!”

Presents!!

I got a present the other night....

I still really can't put into words as to how touched I am...


I know that there was alot of thought put into this....

It is something that people would not expect me to get excited about...



Yes, it makes me feel like a "real" adventurer....

It will provide extra layer of security when I am in the woods...besides being a useful tool....

Now I just have to get comfortable with opening and closing it...and using it....there is definitely a learning curve...luckily I know exactly who to turn to help with that process....

Flowers and Weiners....

Spent yesterday with a whole bunch of scientists and 3 weenie dogs.....

Absolutely amazing experience to tromp through the woods with people that will give you the name, latin name and unique characteristics of every plant that they come across or that you ask about.....

At one point everyone was focused on the rare flower and I was photographing the dogs....this should not come as a surprise....

And when we were looking at the yellow Arctic Spring Beauty (this is the only spot on the entire planet that it grows genetically pure), you could see the pure excitement in the scientists' eyes.

Spring Beauty

Definitely changes my perspective (even more than before) when I walk around in the world...

Gaywing

Axis Of Awesome....

Four Chords...that's all you need....

Cruise!

One day I will go on that cruise....it killed me to say no.....I just can't do it now.....it would have been an absolute blast with the original group of people that had planned on going....


The whole idea had taken on a life of it's own....

We could do the Titanic bow shot with Pony and sing "My Heart Will Go On"!

March up the gang plank flying the Pirate flag!

Make other travelers walk the plank!

Use the balcony for misdeeds and shenanigans!

Singing any song from "Anything Goes" and start rumors that there are gangsters on board!

And the potential for NUMEROUS swizzle jokes!!!

Feelin' Alright?!?!

I know that some of you are waiting with baited breath to see what I write (Hello Avon, CT!)....

I took a mini road trip Friday and as always, it generated a mass of laughs in a very short time period. The joke timetable may have been accelerated due to the fact that I was given coffee AND cotton candy after I arrived…BTW, you can use the cotton candy holder as a unicorn horn…

After a yummy dinner of scallop scampi (thanks Stellen!), we headed to the Instrument show. They played well – the other band just had many more (and way louder) fans….it was good to see them perform even though the music has changed…..could not resist bouncing a bit to “I Still Love You” despite an injured foot…

There are a few things about the evening that I will leave un-blogged (Avon, CT – all the good stuff is written down in my journals).

One tidbit for aspiring musicians…..having the entire band wear black clothing against a black stage backing is not really the best wardrobe choice...especially the drummer since he is the closest to the backdrop…..they all blend right in…...

The next day was a planned hike – unfortunately a combo of excitement and loggers with chainsaws set us off on the wrong trail. After consulting the trusty GPS, we had a “Oh look a trail blaze!” moment…..turned out to be a very well marked property. Bushwacking for an hour will aggravate any foot injury, so we packed it in and I headed home.

Funny enough, I still got a prize for taking the trip - A new-to-me mountain bike!! (Thank you!!) There will be an expansion of the nature adventures…I will be able to ride past snakes and not have to worry about them getting too close!

The good vibe continued for the rest of the weekend – nice dinner on Saturday and Sunday was just a rainy snuggly day (even included Pony while we watched a few movies)….a girl could not ask for more….

Pen To Paper, People....

I know people who know people....actually I know people that ARE people.....so for any and all of you that write short stories.....

The new owner / editor of the Abbey Hill Literary website asked that we remind you that they sponsor a short story writing contest every quarter.

And besides bragging rights that you won something, you also get money - go check it out!!!

http://www.ahliterary.com

Day of A Patriot…

Could not call on office in MA due to “the holiday”….

Stop…think….”What holiday??”……..

Google didn’t have a unique design……

There was nothing on the calendar….

And then I realized…..it’s Patriot’s Day! (also known as Marathon Monday)

The holiday that is celebrated only in Massachusetts....

I forgot about because I no longer live in that state.….

Whoops….will have to wait until tomorrow to make that call...

Girl Power!!

Women are Angels.

And when someone breaks our wings....

We simply continue to fly ......... on a broomstick...

We are nothing if not flexible...


Goes along with the phrase "Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders & says... 'Oh shit....she's awake!!'"

Carry In, Carry Out....

Yesterday had such a great vibe, I did want it to end. (even though that involved me bailing on a regular Wednesday night event)

Went with a friend and we hiked to the highest point in NJ! We followed a loop called "Monument Trail" and it gave us some spectacular views of the area.

Nature was everywhere - within the first 5 mins we encountered a SNAKE! & tick...only to bump into a BIGGER SNAKE!! about 20 mins after that.....we had blue butterflies leading the way along the trail....yes, I was quoting Harry Potter several times.....and we found some interesting leaves that led us to the logical conclusion of "if babies come from cabbage patches, then we have found where elven babies come from!!"......(and man, those elves have been busy!)........eventually the animal sightings even out and we got to have a cute moment with some baby turtles.....

And thanks to my navigator's keen eye, I was able to see another NJ landmark before it is demolished!! I didn't realize that it was near this area and I was SO excited that I could not share all the Gingerbread Castle's details fast enough!

Muzak...

I had a fun chat with one of TGP's buddies about how music reminds us of people and moments in our lives....bringing it back to what some know to be true - "Music charms the soul."

It’s always there to share our joy & pain and comfort us when we need it….

One of my favorite Goo Goo Dolls lyrics is “Scars are souvenirs you never lose...the past is never far...” (unless you work at it)


So on this bright and sunny day, I stumbled upon “Hey Girl” by O.A.R.

It was like re-connecting with an old friend - music that I forgot that I had...

And in a roundabout way, it ties into what I have been up to in the past few months…trying new things without too much of the knee jerk reaction to be scared, over-think and worry....

I took this girl out last night and we left around 12,
We walked along lonely streets and got to know ourselves,
I like to read - she likes to write,
She likes to sleep - and I like to stay up all night,
My friends say I'm crazy and I agree,
But that's okay cause that the way she likes to be

Hey girl come with me and let yourself go
Hey girl come with me and let yourself go

Well we went out late that night and we danced through the night
I was holding on to her and she be gripping it tight, she was
But she didn't care, I didn't mind
I was unaware that she liked to act so kind,
My friends say I'm crazy and I agree,
But thats okay cause thats the way I like to be

I say
Hey girl, come with me and let yourself go,
Hey girl come with me and let yourself go, go, go-oh,
Just let yourself go

Hush little baby, don’t say a word
I would like to give you everything that you deserve
I’ll give you my heart. I’ll give you all my soul
You can have all my money, If you like you can control
In my mind, I miss you every night that you’re not here
Oh I just want to sit around your life and breath your air
And if I can not have you, I just don’t want to live
Oh I got so much, I would like to give

Hey girl, come with me and let yourself go,
Hey girl come with me and let yourself go, go, go-oh,
Just let yourself go, go, go-oh,
Just let yourself go, go, go-oh...
Let yourself go

Hey girl, but baby it all here just let yourself go
Hey girl, but baby, but darling let your self go
Hey girl, but baby but darling I need to know
Hey girl, but my sweetie, but my lovely, I’d love to let you go
Hey girl, but I’m coming back for you and I’m looking to you girl

I Hears Dem....

"i hears dem....da birdiez...there in da outsidez...."

Sticky...

Finally got this on my car.....

Loose End....

I need to find another special event for it.....

It needs to be done....

Smooth....

Very appropriate for summer....

Intuition Razors

On sale at Target for $6.99 each
Buy 2 razors and get a $5 gift card to Target

Use two $4 off coupons

OOP = $6.61

Pay with $5 Target GC from another deal purchase

OOP = $1.61 (actually $1.56 since I got the credit for bringing my own bag)

Rinse and repeat (if you have more of the $4 off coupons)!

Not bad for razors that normally retail for $8.29 each!!

In the Outsidez...

I have been an indoor girl for the past decade – with the exception of some winter sports…..but I have been having a blast being outside lately (“In the Outsidez” as I like to say)

I went kayaking for the first time – ever – last Friday….very nervous but I trusted my guide and he coached me through it. When I started to freak out , I had his voice in my head chanting “Don’t panic, Don’t panic, Don’t panic”

We even had a full breakfast – complete with kick ass (and creative) omelets and mutant strawberries!!

I did fall in the water (brr!) but it did not involve rolling the boat – I was trying to step from one rock to another…..sheesh…..

And because waking up super early to be on the lake as the sun rose was not enough, we met up with two of my friends and went for a hike too!

Lots of sunshine, lots of fun and a whole lot of laughs – it was a great day!!

Happy Easter!!

How You Like Me Now?

The song from the KIA Super Bowl commercial has been stuck in my head.....Besides being fantastic exposure for an unknown band, it's great driving music!!

Swoon, Sigh & Then Some....

Swoon, sigh and then some….hold onto your bodices....he’s back…..

I'm Henry the eighth I am
Henry the eighth I am, I am
I got married to the widow next door
She's been married seven times before
And every one was an Henry (Henry)
She wouldn't have a Willy or a Sam (no Sam)
I'm her eighth old man, I'm Henry
Henry the eighth I am

Second verse same as the first....

22 & It's Cousins....

I am officially plated, registered and licensed to be back in NJ.....

During this process, I realized that the number 22 follows me….It was the house number of where I lived before I moved up to MA.....It was my unit (*snicker*) number in MA.....

And it is the only number that has been in my license plates in NJ....

(it’s also my b-day minus 2 and the date of TGP’s b-day if you want to add that to the mix….)

I currently live in another house that has a repeating number…my storage unit (*snicker*) has a repeating number......

I brought this up in a conversation last night and thanks to some help, my license plate was converted to a set of lottery numbers….I think that they would be worth playing!!