Kitchen Concerts - Amos Lee - What's Been Going On

This is really very good. Great Song. I love this guy!

Merry Christmas

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

Thank you for all the joy you bring to me throughout the year.

Love and HUGS!!

Hard to find toys 2008

Schlomo, Rudolph's Cousin

Merry Christmas Baby

Doesn't get much better than this..
BayBays!

HUGS!!

Holiday Snowglobe

This has become a bit of a tradition on my blog. I'm Happy to say that the annual shaking of the snow globe is still available for your pleasure.

So click on the picture to have some fun!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Prop 8 - The Musical

Gotta love this:

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

If you are really my friend

You'll vote for MY friend VE for Humor Blogger of the Year. He's runnin' and has made it to the finals.

Click HERE to visit his blog..and I think you will agree that he should win. He's funny!



Thanks FRIENDS and HUGS!!

Alice's Restaurant

Thought I'd post this early..you can listen now, or you can wait till Thanksgiving day at 11:00 am, which is when it should be played if you really want to keep to the tradition of 1970's New York FM Radio station WNEW.

There is nothing that says Turkey Day more to me than this song..oh and of course the Turkey..well.... and maybe the original King Kong movie followed by Mighty Joe Young...

Enjoy and Happy Thankgiving!

HUGS!!

Alice's Restaurant

There is so much going on in the world.

Each day the news seems more grim..and yet I feel hopeful.

I thought if I made this declaration to the universe...perhaps it would help others to feel hopeful too.

I have much to be thankful for.

My Dad, The Lone Survivor.....

Click on the pictures for a larger view!!

From the clipping above:

Recently discharged from the air forces with 154 points Daniel “Dean” S., the first Bridgeporter to participate in a B-2 air raid over Japan, was able to celebrate, for the first time in 5 years, a birthday at home. He was 24 years old on November 13th.

A former technical sergeant, aerial engineer and tail gunner, he holds the air medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, The Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Presidential Unit citation, four battle stars and the Purple Heart. The latter was received for wounds sustained for bailing out of a plane in combat over Osaka, Japan. He was the only survivor.

The vet of 5 years of service, 42 months of which were spent overseas, is credited with 29 missions in the Pacific and 600 flying hours. He participated in the Burma-China campaigns, the air offensive campaign over Japan, and the Formosa and Yawata raids.

While on the Yawata raid on Japan in June of 1944 he and his crew were forced down in free China and escaped the Japs. Of this flight he wrote “I wasn’t as scared as I thought I would be on the mission, even when we were over the target and the search lights caught us…when the ack-ack started firing at us, I watched it with a strange fascination. It came closer and closer, I heard the bombardier say “bombs away”.

“We finally got out of the target area but about daylight developed engine trouble and were forced to land at an emergency field in free China. We were near the Jap lines and right after we landed an enemy observation plane spotted us. Later two Jap pursuit ships came over and staffed us with machine gun fire…No one was hurt though….”

Born and raised in Bridgeport, Daniel was graduated from the Sanata Maria Incoranata elementary School and Lindbloom High School. Daniel enlisted in the air corps at 18. He received his basic training at Chanute Filed, Ill., and then left for active service in the Panama Canal Zone. In April of 1943, he returned here and went to Great Bear Kan., for further instruction on the mechanical details of the B-29. From there he transferred to an advanced air base in Tucson, Ariz., and then to India.

S. hopes to go back to school under the GI Bill of Rights.

Now what this story does not go into detail about, is the fact that his plane was shot down over the Pacific during combat over Osaka…he did in fact bail out as the plane had been and survived after floating in the Pacific Ocean with a gash in his thigh that was easily 12” long for a number of hours. The story also does not detail that 11 men died that day…everyone in his crew perished except for my Dad. He was the lone survivor.

This fact would go on to haunt him for the rest of his life. My dad passed away in 1990 at the age of 69 from cancer.

He was miraculously picked up by a US sub which was in the area. The medical staff on that sub, saved his life. The crew gave him a white sailors hat which they all autographed. My husband had it framed in a box for me. I display it proudly in my home.

I recall sitting at his knee when I was a child..hearing only bits and pieces of the story of his service. He never embellished the stories; he never said disparaging remarks about the enemies of that war. He didn’t often talk about it at all. But we knew…we had seen the scar and we and we had heard his screams in the middle of the night when he had his nightmares. But he never complained. It was simply what he had done to serve his country.

My father visited the families of every one of those other airmen after he was discharged. They were his best friends, his buddies, and his family. He told them what brave men their sons, brothers and husbands were. Many of those families wrote him letters to thank him for his visit. They let him know, that having met the man who saw them last was somehow comforting and that they were happy that he had lived, even if their son died that day. He kept all of those letters. I have read all of those letters. They are beautiful, incredible and humbling.

He saved many mementos from his service, photos, passes, meal cards, NCO Membership card, etc and articles and pictures of his fallen buddies. I have all of it. He of course saved all of his medals, which my brother has now.

I just wanted to share this incredible story with you, dear readers and friends. I hope that each one of you will say a prayer for all the brave men and women that have died in service to this great country of ours.

You know..my Dad always said to me, that there must be a reason that he alone survived that day….I couldn’t agree more.

~ I originally posted this a year or more ago, but I thought I would re-post it. You see today is my Dad's birthday, he would have been 87. I miss him and honor him today and everyday. I love you Dad.~

Thank You, To All Who Have Served

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

~John Fitzgerald Kennedy~

Off again....

Step daughter called yesterday...sounded pretty exhausted. 7 Children, including a new baby and one with croup. I don't think that poor girl has gotten a good nights sleep in months.

I thought she might be able to use an extra set of hands for a few days...so off I go. I'll be back next week...no doubt exhausted myself..but any excuse to be with my grand kids is OK by me.

HUGS all...

OMG We made it..YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!

South Florida Weather


Current Conditions

Clear
64°
Wind: NW 15 mph Dewpoint: 33°
Humidity: 31%
Visibility: 10.0 miles Barometer: 30.22 in Today's Forecast Evening Clear 58° Morning Clear 52° Sunrise: 7:27 AM | Sunset: 6:41 PM
Rest of Today
Sunny...breezy and cool. Highs around 70.

Tonight Mostly clear. Cooler. Lows in the lower to mid 50s.


Wednesday Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s.

Dancing with the candidates

Been Busy

Sorry I haven't been here much these last few weeks...I've been involved in the election and life in general...

HUGS TO ALL!!

Friday Fun - Sarah Palin as Prez

Click on The Gov's photo to go to the webpage..when you get there...click on objects around the Oval office.

I got a million of 'em...ok I have 2

I'm sure that you have seen pharmaceutical advertising in doctor's offices on everything from tissues to exam table cover paper. Well, in my book, this one should get the prize....

'If the light stays on for more than 4 hours, call your electrician.'

'Idea and design by Einav Jacubovich'

***************************************************************************

Redneck Fire Detector....

Have a great day!!

Perception

Friday Funny - Post Turtle

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75-year old Texas rancher whose hand was caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Sarah Palin and her bid to be a heartbeat away from being President .

The old rancher said, 'Well, ya know, Palin is a post turtle.'


Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a post turtle was.
The old rancher said, 'When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a post turtle.'

The old rancher saw a puzzled look on the doctor's face, so he continued to explain. 'You know she didn't get up there by herself, she doesn't belong up there, she doesn't know what to do while she is up there, and you just wonder what kind of dumb ass put her up there to begin with.

Heading Home...

Well we have been on the road for a week...and we've had a great time. A great time to the tune of 1600 miles and we haven't even started the trip to florida. That will be another 750-800 miles...

I'm not going to lie, I am ready to be home again..we're a tad road weary...Comfort Inns, Westin, Country Hearth...are all fine and dandy but I miss my Tempurpedic and I miss my healthy home cooking.

But I must say the trip has been grand. Washington was really great..we saw almost everything and walked for miles. The weather was mild and sunny.

Headed to the Luray Caverns..which were everything I had imagined...AWESOME..and Monticello was beautiful.

We've been with our 7 grandchildren and will be on the road tomorrow...and should be in my own bed tomorrow night.

Thanks all for checking on me..and sending me birthday wishes...I'll post pictures soon..

HUGS!!!!

50!!

Well it's here...

I'm 50 years old today!

WOW!!!!!I can hardly believe the number, because it sure doesn't feel as if that much time has gone by.

It's been a wild ride...so far....

I'm looking to have another 50!

Still on the road..and having a great time!

HUGS ALL!!!

ROAD TRIP!!!!

So a few days ago, I found myself yearning for cooler days and whining..I mean blogging about it...I ended my post with "I need a road trip"..

As of this writing (Friday night) My hubs and I are planning on taking that trip and we are leaving Sunday. I'm hoping nothing prevents us from heading North...but I am keeping a weary eye on the Hurricane belt..and I just heard on the news that there is no gas avaiable in some places in the southeast..and of course..the country as a whole could be facing uncertain death caused by the financial crisis (maybe not... but thats the way the Prez made it sound)

We don't care...damn it...we are going anyway!!

Firstly, We really do want to meet our newest grandchild in North Carolina AND my 50th Birthday is next Friday and those cooler days have been on my mind so we thought we'd combine it all into one big road trip.

We are driving Northward to the tune of 1100 miles to our Nation's Capital, Washington DC. We're staying 2 nights there and plan on seeing as much of the city as we can. I found this fun trolley tour. I love hokey stuff like that! Plus we can get on and off whever and stay as long as we like..so that's cool.

From Washington DC we are heading west to The Luray Caverns in Virginia. I've always wanted to see those and for whatever reason on our trips up or down the I 95 corridor between NJ and FL we never made the stop. Granted its a bit off the beaten path..but anyway...I have always wanted to go there. So we will!

From Luray, we'll head south to Charlottesville Va and visit Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's Estate. I'm a big fan of T Jeff and his home looks absolutely gorgeous as does the area surrounding it.

After Monticello we'll head southward again to visit our Children and grandchildren in the Raleigh area..and celebrate my 50th!!! I can think of no better way to mark the occasion then to be surrounded by those kids, eating cake and wearing a homemade hat, as is their tradition.

All in all it promises to be a nice get-away...the weather will certainly be cooler and I will get the chance to see some sights with my husband.

I think we are going to like this empty nesting!!

It's Fall

and its 90 degrees here.. yuck!

I am longing for cooler days...and crisp nights..

pumpkins, falling leaves...

apple picking, even raking....

I need a road trip

Friday Fun

Linsk Minyk w/ Shmenge Brothers

There just isn't enough quality entertainment on TV anymore

Name That Tune

I know...it's been a while...but I got inspired...You know how this works...PLAY!!

1.You say yes, I say no
You say stop and I say go, go, go




2.Tin soldiers and Nixon's comin'.
We're finally on our own.


3.Ive been walking in central park
Singing after dark
People think Im crazy
Ive been stumbling on my feet
Shuffling through the street
Asking people, whats the matter with you boy?





4.Cold late night so long ago
When I was not so strong you know
A pretty man came to me
Never seen eyes so blue



5.Ive seen your picture
Your name in lights above it
This is your big debut
Its like a dream come true
And when you smile for the camera
I know they're gonna love it



6. You need coolin', baby, I'm not foolin'
I'm gonna send ya back to schoolin'
Way down inside, a-honey, you need it
I'm gonna give you my love
I'm gonna give you my love, ohhhhhhh

Congratulations are in order!

The latest addition to our family!

This is our 8th grandchild Malachi.

When did being or striving to be ELITE become a BAD thing??

e·lite

From Dictionary.com

-noun

1.	(often used with a plural verb) the choice or best of anything considered collectively, as of a group or class of persons.

2.	(used with a plural verb) persons of the highest class: Only the elite were there.

3.	a group of persons exercising the major share of authority or influence within a larger group: the power elite of a major political party.

4.	a type, approximately 10-point in printing-type size, widely used in typewriters and having 12 characters to the inch.

–adjective

5.

representing the most choice or select; best: an elite group of authors. From American Heritage Dictionary: A group or class of persons or a member of such a group or class, enjoying superior intellectual, social, or economic status: "In addition to notions of social equality there was much emphasis on the role of elites and of heroes within them" (Times Literary Supplement). The best or most skilled members of a group: the football team's elite. Why the negative connotation these days????. "The Washington Elite" "The Elite Media" I had no idea that liking Arugula, made me an Elitist..I mean anyone can buy it these days. You can even grow it in your garden, if you like. Are we not encouraged to strive to be the BEST we can be in this country? If we use ELITE as a negative, then are we supposed to dumb down? America...DON'T raise the bar too high...or else, god forbid, someone will think we are Elite...and actually have some class Isn't that silly?

Mudflats

I thought this was pretty funny from the Wasilla movie theater

I don't often talk politics on my blog. Frankly after the last 8 years..I feel weary of it all.

So in continuing in that tradtion, I'll let someone else speak about it

I ran across an interesting blog while reading the news on the web.

I think this guy is a great writer and let's be honest...I pretty much agree with his slant. You may or may not...that's the beauty of freedom. But if your curious...check out:

MUDFLATS

Tiptoeing Through the Muck of Alaskan Politics

HERE THEY COME

THAT'S GUSTAV ON THE LEFT, FOLLOWED BY HANNA, FOLLOWED BY 2 TROPICAL DEPRESSIONS.

THIS IS FUN....NOT!

Something for the Reproductive Physiologists

Rare Sighting

I had heard they existed...but I had never seen one...

It's OVER

and thankfully TS Fay was pretty much a non-event here. Some gusty wind and heavy downpours at times, but nothing out of the ordinary, thankfully!

Thanks for thinking of me...and hopefully I won't have any more storms to report..(keeping my fingers crossed)



HUGS!!

TS FAY

1:30pm Monday

And awaaaaaaaaaaay we go!!!!!

It's that time of year again...when I start checking the National Hurricane Center/NOAA website numerous times each day. As you can see from the image, most of the computer models have this system heading straight for MY HOUSE!

Thankfully I am prepared..and have been through this before..and most importantly, this isn't even named yet..so chances are it won't be too bad..but it's a reminder that some things are just out of my control. The universe keeps sending me this message...maybe I should start listening.

Have a good weekend..I'll keep you posted.

HUGS!!

Summertime....and the livin' is easy

Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high...........

Ok I know my blogging and commenting are sporadic...but thats just the way it is during these lazy, hazy, crazy dayz of summer.

We had a great visit with the grankids this past weekend. I played numerous games of gofish, Blokus, The Game of Life (as if I needed a game board for that), swam in the backyard pool, swung children around like airplanes by their arms, played wiffle ball (I did fairly well),shared my extensive knowledge of baseball with my oldest grandson Pierce who is 12 and just started collecting Topps cards. I even surprised myself, knowing so many players and who they played for or were traded from etc... I think YOU'D be impressed. The weather was delightful in the Raleigh area. Mid 80's with low humidity and Carolina blue skies...yumm-o. I hated to leave. But back to reality I must go.

I've been playing around with limewire..having heard Janis Joplin today on XM 40..I was inspired to download most of her album Pearl. I love Janis...so talented...and yet so tragic. I thought you might enjoy this timeless rendition of Summertime I found on youtube:



Other than that...just busy being leelee and all that goes with that.

HUGS!!

Kitchen Concerts - Weekend Mix

Well it's Friday yet again.. and I have a few tunes for you all to fade out the week with. We're heading to NC to visit the chilluns' tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited to see them.


This photo is a couple of years old already!!
That infant in my arms is already 2 1/2!!!!


Have a great weekend bay-bays!

Enjoy!!

Canned Heat- On The Road Again (this song so reminds me of summers as a kid, I know you are thinking..WOW..leelee you were and still are the coolest, Canned Heat when you were a kid....wow)





The Kinks - Sunny Afternoon (self-explanatory sing along tune)

Ray Charles & BB King - Sinners Prayer (no reference..I just dig this song)

Memes, Kristin Davis and VE

Today our fellow blogger VE did a brilliant take on a meme.

He cast readers of his blog in starring roles in a movie of his life. This guy is absolutely the best at this stuff.

In any case..since this is MY blog...I'll share that he picked Kristin Davis (of Sex and The City fame) to play me.

What do you think?? Think he captured the true leelee essence?

Thoughts and Meanderings

Ahh the dog days of summer...I don't even know what to do with myself so I haven't been doing much to be honest.

Well ok, I have been doing a couple of things..

Hubs and I have been riding our bikes each night. We are re-exploring our neighborhood and like to bike to the beach as well. 6-7 miles a night after dinner. Its fun and great exercise. After we get home we plunge in the pool..we've really been enjoying that!

Lets see, this weekend our daughter turns 20 and we are all celebrating in North Carolina with our 6 grandchildren and their Mom and Dad. My step daughter is expecting #7 in September. We love that large family and love being a part of all the controlled chaos. So we are flying up on Saturday morn and returning Monday night. We had to work around daughters days off. I wish we were going a bit longer, but we'll drive up after baby comes!

I have been reading an interesting book called Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier, you may remember that he is the author of Cold Mountain. Its a period piece set in the Blue Ridge Mountain area at the beginning of the 19th Century. Very descriptive and interesting. The story revolves around the adventures of a boy of 12 who is orphaned and basically sold off to a man who runs a trading post on the edge of Indian Territory. The boy runs the trade post by himself and is befriended by Cherokees. Pretty interesting

Since there is very little on TV save for the usual drivel..I have been renting DVDs from Netflix. I am currently engaged in a great series that is produced by Showtime. Its called The Tudors and is about Henry VIII early in his reign as King of England. Its a great story and is punctuated with terrific costumes, good looking and sexy characters, lots of trysts and intrigue. Just my cup of tea. Worth a rent.

I am also totally addicted to Swingtown as you know. I can watch that On Demand , which might possibly be one of the greatest creations of all time!

Been doing some gardening....even in the heat. We have been growing pineapples and I have been transferring lots of baby aloe plants to pots around the yard. I am trying to incorporate plants that require little or no care from me. Works best because I get lazy about such hobbies as gardening. The pineapples and aloe can go a long time between waterings and pretty much take care of themselves. The pineapples take a bout a year to grow but man are they worth the wait. You cannot believe how sweet and yummy they are. If you've had them in Hawaii, then you know. WOW..awesome!

Not blogging too much, just lurking mostly and not even doing much of that..but I'll be back in the groove soon enough.

Thats all the news that's fit to print. Hope you are all having a swell summer.

As always....HUGS!!

Kitchen Concerts - Sweet Emotion

Once again Dan Neer of XM 40, my favorite DJ in all the world, turned me on to a very cool rendition of a great song. This is a version of Aerosmith's Sweet Emotion like you have never heard, by famed guitarist Leo Kottke. Now, being the music lover that I am, I had HEARD of Leo Kottke but never really "Knew" him. I am now a huge fan.

I think you'll agree that this is one sweet version of a rockin' tune. I've also included Aerosmith's version for you purists..

Have a wonderful weekend!!



Leo Kottke & Mike Gordon





Aerosmith

Ok...more Newz You Can Uze...then I'll move on...promise

Bush Tours America To Survey Damage Caused By His Disastrous Presidency

Great news!!

U.S. combat deaths in Iraq plunge to new low

Drop to levels not seen since early '04 underscores overall fall in violence

This news makes me happy. Whether one voted for the surge or not...or anyone was right or wrong on it. This is wonderful news...the surge worked....time to get out of there..

Newz You Can Uze

New Wearable Feedbags Let Americans Eat More, Move Less

The Gratitude Campaign

Have you ever seen one of our military walking past you and wanted to convey to them your thanks, but weren't sure how or it felt awkward?

Recently, a gentleman from Seattle created a gesture which could be used and has started a massive movement to get the word out.

Please everybody take just a moment to watch (30 sec.) The Gratitude Campaign: ...and then forward it to your friends!

Kitchen Concerts - Joe Bonamassa

Check out this fantastic Rockin' Blues Guitarist..WOW!!!!






Have a great weekend!


HUGS!!

I get the most interesting

Email...

From folks with the most interesting names like:

Gerwin Sjostrom
Laquita Terrell
Chara Floy
Stacia Cary
and
Febres Milderberger

and those are just a few. I know I am not alone in this...you get them too. But this particular note caught my eye:

to me show details 5:16 AM (3 hours ago) Reply

Nei Ho,

Fuck beer! Got sexy girl?
Click here

The order of the falangi, and the order of the for the completion of mahomet's religious rites. Otherwise. Finding his shafts exhausted, he became those that are already deluded. Thou must also to vie with superior rank and fortune, or fashion,like the crested kailasa, both the kuru king and a maisonmeublee, and heavy hangings, the solid highly righteous rishi, having espoused the girl, second town of the duchy,and had a palace here, from the beginning to the end of the great debates. Old and new testament to be the word of god, and go not,' then he changed his mind and went.he thy father devavrata, fully conversant with every were to command the wife to accomplish anything the places visited by him and the men known to.


Honestly I want to have a job that requires you to drop large sums of hallucinogens and then think up names and texts for spam. That is some major stuff...ok...maybe I don't...but still. Amazing. I'm thinking that perhaps VE wrote this. It's FANTASTICAL!!

Kitchen Concerts - War - Summer

There are some summer songs that remind me of those lazy days so long ago, when we had the entire summer off...with nothing to do but hang with friends...perhaps pick up a few more baby sitting jobs, so I'd have money for albums. Go to the beach, the boardwalk..ride bikes, go camping...I Love those songs...you do too, don't you????????

This is a great compilation album with all our favs: Cisco Kid, In The Ghetto, Low Rider...even Spill The Wine (I bet you know all the words... I do)

Enjoy... War - Summer and HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND...go get some ice cream!!

Connections

Isn't it amazing the connection we make to new friends? Whether we meet them here or there..or wherever It's almost as if they are old friends....old friends we've had in our lives for a very long time. I feel so blessed to have made some new friends I feel this way about. Sounds corny, but the feelings are real...I'm happy I know you.

HUGS!!

Blank

Got nothin'

All is well...


but...

I've got nothin'


HUGS!

Are you watching Swingtown?

You should be. It's F U N and the music is great...check out my cool music player to your left..with the Swingtown playlist.

CBS Thursdays at 10 pm...set your TiVo or whatever...

It'll bring you right back to High School with leelee. 1976!

Watch CBS Videos Online

Welcome Back Vets

Ten thousand young men and women come home from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other zones of conflict every month. They've served our country well, and have made sacrifices - of health, of family, of livelihood - that most of us will never have to make.

IT'S OUR TURN

To step up to the plate and GIVE.

Thank you and HUGS!!

If ya got it...GOOD!

If ya didn't...this is for you...

Enjoy!

What music are you playing in your car??

You may or may not know that I am an XM Satellite radio junkie. One of the best things about being an adult is being able to afford factory installed XM radio in my whip.




However, while I have 24 hour endless commercial free music in my car..I occasionally want to pop in a CD. At the present time I have about 6 CD's. Thats all that will fit in my console. Here are my choices at the present time:

• Bruce Springsteen - Magic
• Joe Jackson - Jumpin' Jive
• Led Zeppelin - How The West Was Won
• Grateful Dead - Dicks Picks #15 - Englishtown NJ, September 3, 1977 ( I was at this concert so I am sure I hear myself in the applause)
• Robert Plant & Alison Krause - Raising Sand
• Joni Mitchell - The Hissing Of Summer Lawns

What music are YOU listening to when you are driving?