8 things about me

I read this on Puerileuwaite's blog so I guess I too have been tagged. The problem with these things is..I read other people's answers and some may be the same as mine, then I think I don't have an original thought...what's up with that? Anyway, here goes:

1. I love peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches on white bread. I know, I know, you are all screaming EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! but I have to tell you, this is a fantastic combination.

2. I taught myself all I know about using a computer, I bought my first PC in 1996 (my god 10 years ago) No one I knew had one, I built a web site , I learned to "chat", the rest is history.

3. I am the 4th wife of my husband. Yes #4. We've been together for 21 years. I guess I got him figured out. He is the only husband I have ever had.

4. I am 1/2 Italian, 1/4 Swedish and 1/4 English decent. I've been told it's a sexy mix. I think it is too.

5. I too am a dog person, don't care for cats at all.

6. I am a very loving person. I give my heart easily and without regret. I don't believe we have only one true love. There are just too many people in the world. Now this doesn't mean I would cheat on my husband. I am a committed and loyal person. But I believe there are many facets of love.

7. I've got wanderlust, and am feeling the need to travel and have some new experiences.

8. The only sitcoms I watch are The Office, My Name Is Earl and Seinfeld reruns. Everything else is crap...except for old stuff like Taxi, M*A*S*H, I love Lucy, The Honeymooners.
PS: I Like Curb Your Enthusiasm too

9. Speaking of Curb Your Enthusiasm, I met Larry David in 2004 at a Miami Beach Deli when he was campaigning for John Kerry. He was very tall and had extremely soft hands.

OOPS that's 9...oh well, and here I thought I couldn't come up with anything..

News I like to Read

Prohibitively High Rocket-Fuel Prices Bring Mideast Crisis To Standstill
August 7, 2006

BEIRUT, LEBANON—As the cost of rocket fuel soared to $630 per gallon Monday, Middle Easterners who depend on the non-renewable propellant to power 10-kilogram rockets have been forced to severely restrict their daily bombing routines, bringing this latest round of fighting to an unexpected halt.

"The way things are going, I won’t have any money left over for other necessities, such as anti-aircraft missiles, land mines, and machine guns," said Hezbollah guerrilla Mahmoud Hamoui, who is just one of hundreds of Islamic militants compelled to scale back their killing until rocket-fuel prices return to their pre-2006 levels.

.

Frustrated Hezbollah fighters face astronomical rocket-fuel prices at the pump

Friday Meme

I'd like to try to be consistent and add a meme for you to partake in each Friday. Please feel free to answer them in my comments...

Ok here goes:

Q: What are four of your favorite words?

1.Peace
2. Love
3. Absolutely
4. the F word. I try not to use it, but I do love it. It's fits in so many situations, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Q: What are four things you hope to do this weekend?

1. Makes Italian Biscotti
2. Go shopping
3. Putter around in my house
4. Start a new book

Q: What are the four things you say most often?

1. Yes dear??????????????
2. May I help you? ( I own a shop)
3. I love you
4. Of course

Q: What are four things you wish you could do right now?

1. Have a leisurely morning in bed with my honey
2. Have coffee with my best friend
3. Swim in the ocean
4. Book a trip

Q: What are four things that turn you on?

1. My honey with a freshley shaved face..a hint of cologne..mmmmmmm
2. Kisses on the neck
3. Having great conversation, deep, but interspersed with humor with an attractive man.
4. Compliments from an attractive man.

Q: What are four things you know you can't do?

1. I know I can't lift a piano
2. Climb Mt Everest
3. Achieve world peace
4. go caving

Q: What four sounds or noises do you absolutely hate?

1. super bass in a car
2. Whining
3. the sound of a eraserless pencil on a piece of paper( you know that metal band where the eraser should be??? aaaaaaaaaack)
4. Personal sounds

Q: What are your four favorite things to do?

1. Travel
2. Swim
3. spend time with my family
4. read, books, blogs, whatever

Oh no..here we go again!

UPDATE: THURSDAY 8/03 -

Hurricane threat fades as Tropical Storm Chris weakens, turns from South FloridaAssociated Press Posted August 3 2006, 1:23 PM EDT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Tropical Storm Chris rapidly ran out of steam Thursday morning as it pushed across the eastern Caribbean, and forecasters said it could weaken by evening to a tropical depression

YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I live in South Florida, which means I live in the hurricane belt. I know this, I chose this, I am prepared for this and yet..I HATE THIS..don't like the worry, don't like the preparation, don't like the clean-up and I especially don't like losing power.

That being said...here we go again...Tropical Storm Chris is headed this way. We are definitely in the "cone of concern" .

Looks good to me!

PS:This one's for you YB!

What I did on my summer vacation...Jersey Style

First stop..Northern NJ, to visit the family

All kidding aside, first stop was to my home town. Typical North jersey suburb. about 14 miles west of NYC...thought this picture was typical, isn't it fabulous?


Went out for cappuccino and cannoli with my friend...this flyer was on the table. The walls had pictures of the cafe owner posing with Joe Pesci...gotta love it. Entertainment of the highest quality, you can't make this stuff up.
After spending a few days immersed in my past and freshening up my NJ accent (what accent, I TAWK like everyone else heah), I drove north to my brother's house in Orange County NY. So beautiful..can you believe 45 minutes north of NYC. Amazing, it's like another world!

View from NY/NJ boarder. Not one refinery to be seen!

While visiting, my bro and I decided to go tooling around the countryside to find some of our old childhood haunts. We came across the infamous Gingerbread Castle in Hamburg, NJ. No longer operational, rumoured to be haunted (of course), it was once a major attraction in the area. Ahhhh Roadside America at it's finest.


We poked around the castle for a bit, till we got creeped out..then headed to a beautiful spot called Lake Gerard. My parents, the suburbanites.."belonged" to this little bit of heaven for the summers. We all piled into the Rambler and drove about an hour to get away from the heat and humidity,into the mountain air.. I am so glad the state of NJ has deemed this a preserve.

Check out this bit of nostalgia:
little leelee on the wall at Lake Gerard circa 1963 leelee today on the SAME wall at Lake Gerard (cool huh?)

After a couple of nights with my family, I headed over to Highland Lakes, NJ to visit my girlfriend. She lives in another "Lake Community"

Still considered a suburb of NY, who would think? check out the wildlife

Yes those are BEARS in front of my girlfriend house in NJ..YES, NJ!!!!!

We were standing on her deck...YES IN NJ!!!!!!!!!!

But alas, all good things must come to an end and my 8 day vacation finally came to a close. I had a marvelous time on my own, visiting those I hold dear, soaking up some local color and generally came home feeling rested and refreshed.

Thanks for taking the time to look at a few of my photos.

Greetings!

Still in NJ..having a great time, wait till you see the pics..!!

V-A-C-A-TION...In The Summer Time

Well I'm off tomorrow on my sojourn to the North. I probably won't be posting but who knows! If I am inspired or have something absolutely blog worthy I'll do my best to get it to you ASAP as I know the few of you who actually read my blog will be so bored with nothing else to read..

ta ta for now

Conservative DUH! Moment?

Bush faces backlash on the right
Conservative anger grows over president's foreign policy
By Michael Abramowitz

At a moment when his conservative coalition is already under strain over domestic policy, President Bush is facing a new and swiftly building backlash on the right over his handling of foreign affairs.
Conservative intellectuals and commentators who once lauded Bush for what they saw as a willingness to aggressively confront threats and advance U.S. interests said in interviews that they perceive timidity and confusion about long-standing problems including Iran and North Korea, as well as urgent new ones such as the latest crisis between Israel and Hezbollah.

READ MORE

At the risk of sounding immature...HELLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOO????????!!!!!!

NOW? they're upset? Oh give me a break...it's election time and they FINALLY have to admit that this President is a dunderhead and want to distance themselves as far away from him as possible. Oh they certainly lauded him in the fall of 2004. Unfortunately 48% of this country saw what he was for real and it just wasn't enough to keep this group at bay. Well Now we're in a pickle all right.

If you're a republican..I can understand your wanting your party back..back to it's roots of fiscal responsibility and smaller government etc. But really WHERE were you when this country really NEEDED you, you all bought their values lines and their swift boat ads, I thought you were smarter than that.....cry me a river folks. I'm mad as hell at you all for allowing this guy to be in charge today.


Ok, needed to rant...I feel better now.

I, meme, mine

ok, I'm ready...inspired and previously posted in puerileuwaite's comments:

GRUB-OLOGY

•What is your salad dressing of choice?
>REAL Blue Cheese, I make a killer dressing with gorgonzola..YUMMY!

• What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
>Wendy’s is MY favorite too.

• What is your favorite sit down restaurant?
> Lately it’s been Oishi Sushi.

• On average, what size tip do you leave at a restaurant? >15 - 20%.

• What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? > I’m half Italian so I could probably eat some pasta everyday, there are so many varieties.

• Name three foods you detest above all others.
> 1. Liver, I too was forced to “just eat one piece” when I was a child, it was fairly palatable buried under mashed potatoes, gravy, onions and ketchup. UGH!! 2. Brussel sprouts…probably the ONLY veggie I don’t like. 3. Fishy fish – I have been known to spit it out..napkin to my lips or not.

• What is your favorite dish to order in a Chinese restaurant? > I love steamed dumplings, but that’s not really a dish is it..more of a dim sum. Ok my guilty pleasure is sweet and sour pork. I don’t think it’s Chinese actually, I think they put it on the menu so little tow headed American children would find something on a Chinese menu to eat…it stuck for me, I still love it.

• What are your pizza toppings of choice? > Black olives often, and pepperoni if I want to be bad!

• What do you like to put on your toast?> Brummel & Brown spread, and a touch of Polaner fruit spread..any flavor.

• What is your favorite type of gum? > original Dentyne

BI-OLOGY

• What do you consider to be your best physical attribute?> ~blush~ well aside from those.. never mind…ok people say I am pretty.

• Are you right handed or left handed? > Right-handed.

• Do you like your smile? > Yes, I smile a lot…'cept it’s caused me a little lineage. OH well ;-)

• Have you ever had anything removed from your body? > Yes, my daughter was born by Cesarean.

• Would you like to? > hmmm…I suppose there a few target areas which I wouldn’t mind getting rid of a little extra leelee here and there.

• Which of your five senses do you think is keenest? > what? KIDDING..I think my hearing is keenest.

• When was the last time you had a cavity? > For me..About 5 years ago, no not a cavity search.

• What is the heaviest item you lift regularly? > I work out 3-4 times per week so I suppose those torture machines would count

• Have you ever been knocked unconscious? > No, but I have been threatened with that offer.

MISC-OLOGY

• If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? > No way. Surprise me. Oh, and make it quick.

• If you could change your first name, what would you change it to?> I like my first name

• How do you express your artistic side? > I sing, I blog, I cook

• What color do you think you look best in? > Blue

• How long do you think you could last in a medium security prison?> what’s the alternative? Freedom? Or maximum security? I’m going to do my best to never have to find out.

• Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake?> by mistake?

• If we weren’t bound by society’s conventions, do you have a relative you would make a pass at? > nope, can’t think of one.

• How often do you go to church? > not religious, very spiritual though…no church for me. I agree with:I agree with Puerileuwaite" Organized religion, in general, has an manipulative agenda all its own, one that is exclusive from the Supreme Being's (assuming/hoping there is one).."

• Have you ever saved someone’s life?> Yes, a carload of teens (Ok there were 4 of us) by grabbing the wheel of a careening mustang in 1978 just prior to it slamming into a tree.

• Has someone ever saved yours? > I have an angel or something on my shoulder, kept the grim reaper at bay a couple of times (That same mustang story)

DARE-OLOGY

For this last section, if you would do it for less or more money, indicate how much.

• Would you walk naked for a half mile down a public street for $100,000? > sure at night in some small town like Podunk, during a rainstorm, chances are no one will be around!

• Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100?> sure

• Would you have sex with a member of the same sex for $10,000?> um….sure why not for 10K.. but she HAS to be hot!

• Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000?> no way, not for nuthin’

• Would you never blog again for $50,000?> can I have all your email addresses first?

• Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000?> Sure, if they’d have me…so to speak

• Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? > Whats the time limit..yeah I think I could handle that

• Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000?> No.

• Would you shave your head and get your entire body waxed for $5,000?> Sure.. most of it already is.. (oh can I say that here?)..I mean, I’m a girl…and well, you know, we wax stuff.

• Would you give up watching television for a year for $25,000?> YES! I’d like to start that tonight!

Sunday afternoon

World Cup...... click baseball.....click world cup..... click golf...... click baseball ......click world cup.... click golf..... click baseball... on and on and on for all eternity................................

Now if I had the changer:

sewing with nancy...... click all in the family...... click food network........ click old movie..................................................(2 hours later) click off

Just being....

I suppose I have reached the point in my life where I am not "needed" as much as I used to be. My daughter will be 18 soon and she has been making all of her own choices and filling her own needs these days. Quite honestly she wants to do things on her own, she is becoming more and more independent. This is a place that I prayed she would get too and lo and behold she seems to be there now. She works full time and mostly would rather spend free time with her friends than her Mom. It's natural..I wanted and did the same thing at her age. Her life is right where it is supposed to be.

So here it is Saturday..Husband does his own thing on Saturday and I have the day virtually to myself to do basically whatever I please. I don't work on weekends, so I put aside my chores like cleaning and food shopping, and did MY own thing today. I didn't HAVE to do anything FOR anybody!

I went shopping for not terribly necessary items, which is always fun and then I went to a movie. Came home, made a homemade Flan (with the new flan mold I bought at Bed, Bath & Beyond).

My missive here is not to recount my daily activities today but to write how good it feels to be able to have this time to myself. Didn't feel lonely, didn't feel like "They don't need me anymore".. I realized as I was driving along listening to Pink Floyd and NOT top 40... that I am no longer defined by my being a mother. My life no longer revolves around my daughter. Oh I am still involved and she and I have a very good relationship...but...I can finally be ME again!

I posted earlier that I am going on a week long vacation by myself. Not to get away from my family, but simply to go and do something for me..visit my family and friends. Drive by myself, listen to the radio, sing loudly, take the scenic route...stop for lunch....whatever I feel like at the moment.

When I met my husband, I was in my 20's...liked to party and have FUN..traveled, had a good time. By the time I was 30, I had a child and happily my life had a new chapter..wife and mother..and I gave myself over to it. I loved it. Loved being involved in scouts, school, whatever.

Now though I am excited about this latest chapter and all that it could possibly hold for me. I've grown up, my child has grown up..my marriage is good and strong and my husband supports my new independence (as long as I don't stray too far...he likes having me around and I like hanging around with him too, that's another post for another time..)

I guess, I am just comfortable in my own skin..just being leelee...again

Happy Birthday Mr. President

Happy Birthday Mr President <-(Right click on link to open in a new window)


Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday Mr. President
Happy birthday to you
Thanks, Mr. President
For all the things you've done
The battles that you've won
The way you deal with U.S. Steel
And our problems by the ton
We thank you so much

Everybody, happy birthday

Reflections of the 4th of July..on the 5th

Last night my husband and I decided to attend our town's annual 4th of July "Hometown" celebration at the beach. We really didn't know what to expect exactly, but we knew there would be fireworks.




Now, I've lived in this particular town in Florida for 15 years already but it still doesn't fell like MY hometown. I suppose it never will. HOWEVER....much to my delight..we found some seats at the beach amphitheater and a little lady was handing out flags to wave...then the music started (ok it was recorded but that's ok) and a terrific ensemble of performers marched out onto the stage..in patriotic costumes


..can you imagine a homemade costume of a walking Liberty Bell?

or The Statue Of Liberty..

Even Betsy Ross was there




in addition there were dancers with red, white and blue sequined outfits




..it was absolutely marvelous!!!! They played all the old standard patriotic songs and I found myself singing along..as I knew all the words...I learned all of those songs in grade school....do they still teach kids :

You're a grand Ol' Flag, Your a High Flyin' Flag
or
This issssssssssssssssssss MYYYYYYYYYYYY Country...Land That I Love.. etc??

At 9:00 the music continued and the fireworks began...Newer songs like Proud To Be An American, American Soldier, Born In The USA, Ray Charles' God Bless America blared from the speakers only rivaled by the explosions of the bombs. It was a red, white and blue sensory wonderland..one that I will not soon forget. I loved every hokey minute of it. I felt like I was home....again. I guess...home is where the the heart is...feels really good to be an American.

Happy July 4th!!!!

I posted earlier..but it's worth a revisit today:

This Land Is YOUR Land

FINALLY FOUND!!!!

I knew it had to be somewhere, I just never bothered to look in the obvious locale....but of course...it's right where it's supposed to be.

...stock up now folks, you just never know when you'll need one.

U.S. Threatens North Korea With Ann Coulter Launch

Rabid pundit deployment could destroy entire Korean peninsula, UN warns

June 27, 2006 - In an act of retaliation for North Korean president Kim Jong-Il's plan to test a long-range missile that could reach California, the U.S. today threatened to launch conservative pundit Ann Coulter in the direction of North Korea.

President George W. Bush announced the plan to weaponize Coulter in a nationally televised address.
"If North Korea intends to test the most deadly weapon in its arsenal, we will have no alternative but to use the most deadly weapon in ours," Bush said. "And that weapon is Ann Coulter."




Read More

Comfort Zone

As I sit here in my leather barca-lounger watching baseball on HD, it occurs to me, that I have settled into quite the comfort zone. Not much going on lately..it's summer in South Florida and the living is dare I say, easy..until August when we start to once again look to the seas and stratos for killer storms approaching. Until then though I will relax and enjoy the "quiet times"

It wasn't always this quiet (and frankly I feel I may even jinx the peace by writing about it.) A year ago we were in drama with our then 16 almost 17 year old daughter..now this same child 17 almost 18 has finally found some peace and seems to be settling into herself.

Business is good, for the off season, and I am looking forward to a vacation BY MYSELF at the end of July. I'll be travelling "up north" to visit family and friends. Really looking forward to that. I rented a car today from Hertz with a satellite radio..to me being on my own, with satellite radio for 8 days is like a dream come true...is that a sad testament to my life? It may be, but it only really matters to me.

I think it's a good thing to vacation seperately from my family every once in a while...time to clear my head..have time to myself to do my own thing...visit with my friends and family....

Just some random thoughts tonight...haven't written anything in a looooooong time.

Memorial Day

Today is a somber day for me. Today is a day when we honor those who fought and died for our freedom. There is nothing more for me to say except..thank you.

Please take a moment and look at the faces of some of our heros who have fought in Iraq and gave the ultimate sacrifice. They are you , they are me, they are Americans:

Heros

I also caught a wonderful National Geographic Special on Arlington National Cemetery today. Worth a rental

And lastly..I was sent this poem by a good friend..for the memory of my Dad, he fought in WWll. I think it's quite apropos for today:

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.

And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.

It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

Yes, this HAS been a somber day for me ~sigh~

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day !!!

I love this picture..it's a couple of years old but I think the smiles are timeless!

Enjoy your day Mommies!!

Couldn't resist

showing off our adorable grandchildren..we have 6! Husband's daughter's children (of course we all know I am waaaaaaaaaay to young to possibly have 6 of my own grandchildren (not really, but I like to think it's a stretch...) anyway..this is them..oh and that's Grandma leelee in the center..

:-)