What I really want for Christmas

All I ever want for Christmas is LOVE. It's not always about the getting...its about the giving too. Everything comes from Love. The emotions of LOVE fill my heart and make me so happy. If I love something then it brings me happiness. It could be a certain person, place or thing. It doesn't matter if it was in past or right now. As long as it is something I LOVE...then a smile is usually on my face. When you feel love, others should be able to see it. I think I show that and hopefully no one can accuse me of being fake for not having the emotion to go along with my smile. Those that know me...know my smile and feelings and LOVE are all real. I might not have the fat wallet to show LOVE through monetary gifts but sometimes the best thing I can offer is my LOVE. "And the greatest gift is LOVE"

Gorton memories

There are so many magical memories of the holidays that when I close my eyes I can picture Christmas' gone by and the smells, sounds and feelings all come back. One of them is Gorton. It is a French-Canadian recipe listed below that I remember eating. It is a spread that I like served on toast. I remember it all winter long, but mostly for the holidays. Mr. Forgue, who sang in Sacred Heart Choir with my Mom, had given my Mom his recipe and it was delicous. It was in her green recipe book found in the bottom drawer in her kitchen. Once a year she would bring out the recipe and make Gorton herself. When she got older, it was easier to buy it from the store than to make. There are these small little mini bread slices that were served Christmas Eve along with the Gorton spread. Some put yellow mustard on theirs. I like mine just plain. We just made some and it has to cool overnight. The smell is bringing back so many wonderful memories.

French-Canadian Gorton Recipe

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/gorton-french-canadian-pork-spread/

My Wonderful Mother

I am not quite sure of the year of this picture but I know it was before I was born. This is picture of my Mother, Claudette, who was such a wonderful woman. It would of been her 80th Birthday today. I say WONDERFUL because that’s my code word I used to buy her Mother's Day and Birthday cards. Being the youngest of her seven children, it was hard to buy a unique card that one of the other siblings didn't already buy. I found my code word "WONDERFUL" had to be inside every Hallmark card I bought it. It actually made card shopping easier, and it usually was a perfect card. Of course the important words had to be underlined twice to show the extra attention and love shown. I miss her very much. She was a strong, loving, and full of sunshine and happiness person. I miss her voice that could drown out seven of ours or keep the seven of us quiet. I miss her hugs. The way her body wrapped you up in her love. I miss her advice and guidance, although I didn't always listen. She was a extremely smart woman. She loved reading her mystery novels and you were not allowed to call her between 7:30-8pm while Jeopardy was on. She was just incredible presence. You immediately loved her. I only hope that I can be half the woman she was. I love you Mom.

Toes in the water....

Just to put my chair close enough to the ocean and have my toes wiggling around in the water while I feel the warm sun shine all over my body. I guess waking up to a window open and feeling the crisp cool morning air gave me a reality slap that fall is here. I didn't want to get out of bed this morning and feel the coolness instead of the warmth of my covers. But I didn't want to sleep in and I would be even groggier tomorrow morning for work. So while hubby was snoring away, I got up...made coffee and got to watch my DIY network while snuggling up with my afghan on the couch. I'm not ready for cool weather! I want to put my toes in the sand and enjoy more summer sunshine.

Smokey Eye with blue eyes

I figure that I will try this and see how a smokey eye looks with my blue eyes.  I have a feeling it will make me look like Elvira with the heavy make-up against my pale skin.  I laugh at the commerical of the boy and girl getting their lunch from their Mom and she has deep smokey eyes with heavy eye liner.  The kids are scared of her because it looks so bold against her face.  Well this past Monday we have a visitor from our Finance Dept come in to help with inventory.  She was blonde and pale and not the bimbo blonde type but the demure Sara Moulton chef from Food Network. She had on jeans, t-shirt and grey light hoodie. She had the bold smokey eye with dark mascara.  She looked too made up for the office. I thought it would of looked nice if she had on a black dress and a little more cheek makeup to give her color.

I am not a girly girl.  I only recently began to feel feminine and sexy. I always wanted to look good but thought it was a waste of time since no one ever commented on my looks. (only on my hair)  So now I want to try different fashions and makeup and yes even try COCO Chanel cologne. LOL  I think a short black skirt with purple shirt and my smokey eye will look sexy for a nice night out.
 
Well I will try it and see what my friend thinks.  If not, I always have my trusty Avon eye makeup remover!

Future invention that will happen in next 10 years

I predict.... I have seen the new Samsung Galaxy commerical The commerical shows all the different tv shows and cartoons that have a talking watch for the future. Picture George Jetson! So after I see that commercial I tell my husband that someone in this world has been working on getting a 3d projection to work- just like Princess Leia from Star Wars, when her message to help save her came through R2D2. Then there is the AT&T digital life where the kids just left home and the Dad pulls out his cell phone and shuts off lights, turns off the water and locks the door all from him phone. Thats the future. https://my-digitallife.att.com/learn/ The radio announce joked this morning that there are 3 billion people using cell phones world-wide so what would happen if we all put them on "vibrate" and they went off at the same time. The technology is changing so fast and Earth is going to be overrun with computers someday. But the good news is hopefully with improved technology, maybe we will end up living longer and get to spend more time to love each other.

Fragrance

I think we associate different scents to different things. I know the smell of Jean Nate would make me think of my Mom. That was pretty much the fragrance she used growing up. That was until her children were old enough to afford Shalimar. I will never forget that smell of either of those signature smells of my Mother. There are also food smells that conjur up great memories. I know the smell of lobster or clams steaming brings me back to my childhood and the family get togethers. We use to have clamboils every summer. My Mom and sister even individually put the clams in a cheesecloth bag one year so we each had our own portion. I love the taste of clams steamed and then dunked in butter then slidding down the back of my throat. Mmmmm taste so good. One of the smells this past weekend was of CHANEL COCO MADEMOISELLE Eau de Parfum. Yes it is my sisters scent and she buys it twice a year since it is expensive. I asked her before I left yesterday if I could use some as she was spraying some on her. She showed me how she just sprays once behind each ear and then rubs her wrist up to her neck where she just sprayed. Very little bit but all day I could smell this beautiful fragrance and being on airplane and in airport, I am glad I smelled so good. Funny thing is..I came home, took a shower last night and dried my hair. This morning when I woke up, I can still smell the COCO Chanel smell. This will be my new fragrance! My pocketbook right now though is telling me to stay with my Japanese Cherry Blossom at Bath & Body Works. I love the smell of Ahm and Hammah and how it makes me smile with the many memories. Between the deoderant and the laundry detergent that are both hypo-allergenic, it has a manly clean smell that I love under my nose. Ok so my all time favorite is Ahm and Hammah!!

Trip back to MA

I will be visiting New Bedford this week and have a few different things that I want to do and one sad thing that I have to do. I want to eat some fish n' chips or fried clams. I want to drive down to the beach and sniff the salt water air and maybe put my toes on the cool sand. I want to see my friends and it will be extra special since my oldest friend Bridget will be visiting from Ft. Walton Beach. I need hugs from family and friends. I want to see the sun come up over Long Pond. I want to see Tyler Trahan roundabout. I want to have malassadas or linguica. Things that are no where to be found in South Cakalakee. This will be emotional visit also. My oldest brother's ashes will be buried at my parents grave. He wanted to be laid above my father, which is the perfect place for him. John J. O'Malley Jr. and his son John J. O'Malley III together again. I know they are both in heaven at Fiddler's Green. I know there is peace for him now. I will post pictures from my trip next week.

NO NO

It is not the word "NO" meaning you can't do that. It the beauty secret TV commercial for hair removal. I have very light hair on my body. Some of it looks blonde and some of it is defiantly auburn. It is now the beginning of the no shave season! I stop shaving because I wear long pants all winter long. I do have a couple of skirts but those will be for special occasions. I don't shave regularly since my hair is not visible. I do like the feeling of soft smooth freshly shaved skin. One of the people on the NO NO commercial talks about how smooth it is. There is also a man on the commercial talking shaving his chest. Now I know why they call it NO NO!! Don't shave your chest! I love chest hair on a man. Especially poking out of a polo shirt. I think it’s very sexy. I know most women don't like chest hair. I like it!! Blame it on Tom Selleck but I like it. I would like to test the NO NO on my toenail hair. It seems like that is the hardest spot for me to shave. Well there are other hard spots but that is my business. LOL

Be Strong

I truly believe after reading a blog, that how you act or react during times of conflict or crisis shows your true self. If you are even tempered and do not get aggitated or explosive during a crisis that is your true self. Why fly off the handle about a situation that you have no control over? I consider myself a even keel kinda person but that is seen as weak in some eyes. It's not that I am weak, its that I choose my battles and it might not be worth fighting for. I don't consider myself a strong aggresive person either. Even when it is something that I do want to fight for, it is always with thoughts of how do I convey my emotions and relay the facts without flipping out on someone. I never understood why aggression has to be shown during a conflict. I guess "talking it out" won't work with these type of people. I just have learned how to tune out and duck when things start flying. I try to always be postive, upbeat and happy. It comes natural to me. I see a smile and it makes me very happy. But even during a crisis or a tough time, I try to find the positive or turn the bad into good. I know that "Tough Times don't last, Tough People do!" (TJT) I believe happiness is within everyone. YOU CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY. There are things in life that bring that happiness out. You need to seek what makes you happy. I feel that my trials and tribulations that life throws as me is a test to make me stronger for the next obstacle. Life will always have its ups and downs. It makes me wonder how do I see the bad and turn it around to be good. I expect it won't last and better days are coming.

Musicals!

How can you not know Les Miserables is a Musical? LOL Oh well sit there for 3 hours and hopefully it was worth the ticket price. I love any kind of musical. But I love sushi more! So why do certain things make me giggle outloud? Hearing the word WAAASAAAABiiii makes me smile. Geico commerical with camel and hump day always makes me smile. "Mike Mike Mike" and then the smell of Arm and Hammer and how it makes all things smell so clean and fresh makes me smile too. I smile when I see red shirts on Fridays knowing its to support the troops for Remember Everyone Deployed. Babies and puppies make me smile. I laugh too! I smile when I hear certain songs on the radio. My favorite will always be Ray Charles singing, "Georgia". Always on my mind!! I know purple makes me smile.

Musicals and singing

I am not a singer but I do like to belt out some tunes. At least once a day I am belting out a song and it always makes my mood feel better. Music is my therapy. I know if I am feeling blue or just in a funk, that if I play good music it can lift my spirits immediately. I find watching musicals also helps. I love "The Sound of Music". Maybe because its a large family and they are being raised by warm loving woman who sings. Hmmm sounds like my Mom. My Mom had a beautiful voice and I remember her singing many songs to me. So my song of the day goes back to a Disney movie and a great memory of her singing this to me. "Zippity- do-dah, Zippity-de-ay, My, oh my, what a wonderful day. Plenty of sunshine headin' my way. Zippity-dee- do-dah, Zippity-de-ay! Have a WONDERFUL day!

Jury Duty

I am going to jinx myself with this post but I have not had jury duty since I've moved down here.  I only remember going to jury duty once when I lived back in MA.  Yes I am a registered voter and yes I did vote in the last election. But they say that does not play a role in being chosen for jury duty.  I was never chosen and remember they discharged us right at lunch time. I had the day off from work so that was like a bonus day off.  But I always wonder what really goes on for being a jury.  I know I am not one to judge.  I think there is only one to judge and we will all have our judgement day. 

I am very gullible too so I believe stories people sometimes tell me.  I would not make a good juror. The defense would get up and I would believe them...then the prosecutor would make their case and I would believe them.  I always heard that you just have to say you are related to a cop/correctional officer and  you would be let off.  Not sure if that is true.


I know I would not want to be a juror on a "famous case".  I could sit on a jury for someone who might of been hurt in a motorcycle accident. They would automatically win the case if it was up to me.  You can't sway me on that one.... motorcycle rider always wins, especially if they were hurt and in the hospital for a few days.  I would award them a VERY LARGE sum of money to help them with their anguish.


My friend Sunshine just had to go to jury duty on Monday. She could text and had downloaded a book for use on her tablet. But she was not allowed to have water or snacks. Go figure...crumbs are not allowed in courtroom.  She is a very Christian woman and had to say she was sitting there judging people based upon the way they looked. She apologized and sent text LOL.


I am not sure if I will ever have jury duty but now that I have put it in my blog... I betcha now I will!  Just hope it not too far away like close to Georgia!

Cooking abilities

I can boil water, which means I make a mean mug of hot cocoa.  I can make Kraft Macaroni and Cheese but don't ask me to make homemade anything.  I love egg salad which means...boil water.  I guess being the youngest sister, I was only given limited kitchen duties such as peel potatoes.  I have the scar on my thumb to prove it when I peeled my thumb instead of potato.  Sister Maureen would be left with written instructions on how to whip up dinner since Mom was working all night shift 11-7 so would be sleeping during the day. 

My other kitchen duties were to clean pots, pans, dishes and anything else that was dirtied up during dinner.  My Mom always joked that I would need to find a man who could cook.  I never went hungry even when I didn't have a man.  My favorite meal is tuna fish and peanut butter and jelly.  No fuss- no cooking.

I can follow a recipe but even then I have to make sure I follow the recipe to the tee. I forgot the sour cream when making my Mom's famous coffee cake. That is because I'm scatter-brained and need to focus.  It is a lesson in my life that when I start to lose focus, I say to myself "COFFEE CAKE" and that reminds me to slow down and focus.
Now I'm hungry...off to make some egg salad.

Jell-O

J-E-L-L-O
Watch it wiggle, see it jiggle
Cool and fruity
Jell-O brand gelatin

I love Jell-O!  But I have to eat sugar-free because of my intolerance to sugar.  I just love the way it feels nice and cold in my mouth on a hot summer day.  I like the way I squish it between my teeth back and forth until it becomes watery again.  Its really good for you when you are in hospital or after Dentist appointments.

I like to put some sugar-free CoolWhip on top as well and its a PARTY!! 

Well....actually the party is when Jodi mixes up a batch of Jell-O shots and the Tata's are having Girls Night Out.  I have also tried the jello shooters that are syringe type of things that are sold and you squeeze them into your mouth. Those were fun watching Jodi collect them down in Myrtle Beach with the expectation of re-using them again.
My favorite flavor is LIME but I guess any flavor is good. (especially mixed with Everclear)   http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Jello-Shots

You only live once moment or Bucket list item- get in tub filled with jello!  Might be fun & tasty

Character Flaws

Character Flaws 

Yes I have them!! See I am not perfect and I readily admit that I am not perfect.  I have flaws and some of them are not obvious!  So here are five of my top character flaws for all of you to either scratch your head and say... "she's not like that" or "WOW I never knew that about her!"

Don't Judge - I'm only human!

1) I smell really bad!!  Okay so some of you know that about me!  After my gastric bypass, I have an issue with lettuce and the magnificent aroma my body emits after digesting it.  Sorry Coco for being my cube mate for all those years but at least I had potty spray.

2) Yes I do pick and have always been a picker.  If you see me picking, slap my hand like my Mom use to do.  But guess what... its a bad habit and it still continues.

3) I am too gullible. I consider this a flaw sometimes. Yes I am not that gullible to believe I have millions in a Nigerian bank account but if you told me that one of these days, you will be giving me a WONDERFUL gift.... I might believe you.

4) I am a spender...not a saver.  But yet I don't spend money on frivolous things. I don't get my nails done every two weeks, I don't spend $65 on a Brazilian wax (though I was thinking about it) and I never buy coffee from a store..I make my own.  But when you look at my bank account - it dwindles down without me thinking about future savings. I consider this a flaw since my husband knows every penny he ever spent.

5) My fifth one would have to be jealousy.  Yes I am selfish and want certain things.  I want them for my own pleasure and get jealous if someone else has what I want. I don't let it be known too much of my jealousy because it only makes the other person uncomfortable.  I get jealous of not just materialistic things but of time spent with loved ones when time is too short or they live fah (Bawston tawk) away.  I get jealous of not being there for important moments in their lives. 

I have more than five flaws but wanted to share some of my worst.  As you get to know me, you will find MANY more!!  LOL

Red Shirt Friday

I have been wearing red on Fridays for about two years now.  It is to support the troops and to "R"emember "E"veryone "D"eployed.  The only Friday I do not wear red is the week before St. Patrick's Day is my green week.  I have a strong connection to the military and always show my support for the troops, especially those deployed.  Since losing my nephew in Iraq, I have come to realize his ultimate sacrifice that he signed on the dotted line...was for me and my freedom.  He is my inspiration and has come to inspire others to wear red. 

I know....Redheads aren't suppose to wear red!  Well it never was my favorite color,  but I have come to like it. It is still better than yellow on me...YUCK!!  Its easy to buy clothes when you have a specific color to buy.  And my favorite store "GW" has their clothes by colors!  (GW=Goodwill) LOL

Can a simple gesture of wearing red make my day?  YES!!!  Seeing you in red shows you care about me and what I believe in.  I see you on Friday's wearing red and it brings a big smile to my face.  I even have my bureau drawers set up by color so I know Thursday night what I am wearing the next day. Last Friday I wanted to look a little nicer than a tshirt since I was meeting my friend Krystal after work. I love her...she makes me smile and glad we met up to reconnect and laugh and have a "Pain Killer" at Cheddars.  Life is good y'all! 

So when you notice someone wearing red on Friday's.... it might just be to support the troops, or to support a friend who cares deeply about soldiers.


http://redshirtfridays.org/

Hair Hair Hair Hair Hair Hair

Yep that just for you! 
I know how much my hair is considered my "mane" attraction since I was little.  I remember how orange it was and how uncomfortable being the Howdy Dowdy of the kids.  It did help having brother also being a redhead and with such an Irish name it suited me.  I guess I knew that I was special being redhead but didn't really like the attention.  I hid behind a wall, which became my big girl body.  Who wants to look at a big girl redhead?  I never liked to show off or being the spotlight. Although..... I did love being in dancing school and performing for dance recitals.  I guess my love of dancing helped overcome my shyness.
I did come out of my shell and was voted in high school as "Most Spirited".  That was because I was loud and shouting at games, but that was to keep up with my cheerleader friends.  There were not many redheads at New Bedford High School.  People would get me and Sue T. mixed up all the time.  Well we both were on swim team but she was skinnier than me. 
I had really long hair, then cut it to a Dorothy Hamil cut around 1976 and then let it grow out again.  It was shoulder length in high school and then the summer I graduated, I cut it short again.  That was the summer I met first husband Todd.  He only knew me with short hair and he preferred it short.  We even owned a "FLO Bee" that we would attach to our vacuum cleaner to cut our hair.  I once used it without the spacers and my hair was almost buzzed cut.  It was shorter than Todd's!
But once he left... I began growing it again.  It was so long and healthy right before my Gastric Bypass.  I lost so much of my hair and it was the one quality about myself that I really liked.  So for the last two years I've been trying to eat more protein and get healthier hair again.  I think its getting better. Someone recently told me how good it looks!!  Now you just need to see it in person. 

Flowers

My favorite flower is Freesia.  It has a beautiful fragrance and it is very delicate looking.

My favorite flower

Of course if you know me...you already know my favorite color of freesia! OK so if you don't know me its purple. I love any kind of flowers except there is one that reminds me of funerals or church.  It is a big ball and think it is a form of Chrysanthemum.  I do like the name "Chris and Mum" which remind me of Mom... but the flower just makes me think I am either in church or at a funeral. 

My other favorite flower is daffodils.  Only because of the timing of them.  It seems just like when the horrible month of March is about over and all the winter blahs are through...you get to see life spring up out of the ground again in a "hosts of golden daffodils" - Poet: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I really do love flowers and they do brighten up a room and make someones day just a little better.  I like to look at them and be reminded of the sweet person who took time out of their day to send/buy me flowers.  I know they die..but for the thoughts and the beauty...they are worth it.

Swimming

I am in need of a vacation somewhere close to the water.  I live 4 hours away from the ocean.  I was raised in Massachusetts in city that was right on the water and is known for our fishing fleet.  When there was low tide, you could smell it.  And believe it or not...I miss that stinky low tide smell.  I really miss the sound of the ocean crashing against the sand on the beach.  When the waves crash it also releases this intoxicating smell of salt water that I miss that smell too. 
My fondest summer memories are of going to the beach with my whole family (9 of us) and just playing in the water.  Mom had her own lifeguard orange whistle just for us!  But being the baby, I had my older siblings watching out for me too.  My whole family are big swimmers. My brother Donald was lifeguard, which for a pale puke redhead is a challenge!  Then my oldest sister Maureen was the first female lifeguard in our city back in 1978.  She also would swim the 500m on swim team.  That is 20 laps in pool.  Maureen had a "pretty" way of swimming where her feet would hardly splash. 
I prefer swimming in pools since you don't have to worry about what creatures might pinch your toe-bees on the ocean floor.  I somehow ended up with sand up my butt too!  Plus salt water leaves your skin dry and flaky unless you go to shower off as soon as you come out.  We had showers at our local beach.  Mom would bring her own soap & shampoo for us.  Along with baby powder that helps take the sand off. 
Salt water is very good for skin irritation and bug bites....but chlorine is good for that too. 
The perfect vacation would be down at the beach but also has a pool.  That way after the sun goes down you can still be in the pool on those hot steamy nights.  Nothing like a moonlight swim.

Addicted

You see someone addicted to Meth, alcohol or even cigarettes and wonder ... why can't they just put it down and walk away to a healthier lifestyle.  Well I guess the same is about relationships.  Smart people stay in bad relationships because that is the only relationship they know of.  They have never been treated the right way or felt the love of a true love relationship so they accept their circumstances and stay.  It also takes a strong person to walk away.  That strength is not always easy to come by. But they always say that someone who has an addiction also reaches a low point and that is when they seek help to change their circumstances.  Yes sometimes that low point is sitting in a jail cell waiting trial, or maybe it is being diagnosed with lung cancer so the cigarettes just don't seem important anymore.  But when it comes to a long term relationship; what is the low point when the person decides when they have put up with enough crap or violence to now seek a happy life?
Getting your life in order is a hard task to accomplish alone. And as bad as that relationship is, there is a sense of stability from that person always being there even in the worst of times. They also may have the extra income needed to sustain the bills and without their paycheck, credit scores might be ruined and the lifestyle they are accustomed to is gone.  I don't want to think of that person as a victim- but more of someone who doesn't know better...and lives with the person that they are dependant upon someone who treats them like shit. 
I was just looking at article about Nigella Lawson and how her husband attacked her in middle of restaurant.  She is a beautiful, smart woman.  How could she let a man treat her like that?  That is probably all she knows and or she is more looking at his fat wallet and never complained because the bills were paid.
I pray to strength and faith and mostly love.  Because with love...ALL things are possible.  

Preparation

Preparation is the key. Unless its Preparation H then it's a pain in the ass!!

Sometimes I have to prepare myself for the future.  I have to get prepared to face a certain situation or event that I know my normal happy self is not going to enjoy.   I try to envision it and pretend it is not that bad.  I know I can make it through, a little stronger and more confident.  
This new job is preparing me for a certain busy future.  I know it is not making me happy at the moment.  Its bad and hopefully once I know the job, it will get better.  Damn its only day two!  But there is a feeling that if I prepare now with learning this job as best as I can and keep learning...that I will have a brighter future. And who knows... I maybe surprised and might just become my happy self at some point. 
SOMEDAY!!

Birthday blues

Talk about feeling sad on such a WONDERFUL day!!  I posted last week how cards mean so much to me.  A phone call from family or text messages means just as much too. But why would he forget? Is he that insensitive to my feelings?  Is it all about him?  Why couldnt he go get me a $3.00 birthday card that wishes me a Happy Birthday and how much he cares about me?  I don't know... lost right now.  Hurting and yes I should go talk to him but dont want to "cause problems" so again I keep the hurt inside and still smile on the outside.  It keeps building up that one day I am going to blow...and its not going to be pretty.
Please God watch over and protect me... keep me safe and give me peace.

Bruins!!

"Everyone knows a penguin doesn't have a chance against a Bruin"- MB!!

I love that saying!!
I guess my favorite national hockey team is Boston only because I did meet Patrice Bergeron while I worked at Reebok.  He still had a thick French accent and he was so sweet.  I have been to one New England Patriots game when Steve Grogan was quarterback and I was in marching band circa 1983.  I did go to one Red Sox game but was on a blind date so I was more nervous than having fun watching the game.  Guy was Sean Michael Patrick Kelly and it was only one date. LOL Damn Irishman!!! I did go to 2 New England Revolution games. Once with my Spanish friends and it was a blast.  I saw that there was a special deal for ticket, pizza and drink with really good seats. So I had invited Rick to go on our first date.  He had never been to a soccer game and we had fun.  The guys sitting in front of us made us laugh which cut the tension of first date jitters.  "Get up off your knees ref- you're blowing the game".  
                                                                        
I still love to watch soccer especially if #11 is on the field playing defense. Go Black! I hope to watch them play again... maybe in September? 

Birthday basics

Yes I do love Hallmark cards and sometimes the best gift is the card and not the actual gift.  Although I do love the anticipation of opening the gift and wondering what is inside.  But sometime the best gift has nothing to do with an actual item but more like a sweet notion that conveys how much that person means to me.  Best birthday was last year at Myrtle Beach.

I can't believe I will be 47!!! Lucky number!  I sometimes feel like I am younger due to different situations or people I am with.  I believe its just a number anyway.  You are only as old as you feel and I feel 19 sometimes!


I have a feeling it will be another lucky year for me.  I get to start a wicked good job next Monday, June 10th!! It will be customer service but my customers will be accounts and not just cranky people calling in complaining about their broken Samsung stuff.  I did not like the job but I still went to it everyday.  Yes I played hookey a couple of times- but it was worth it.

I prefer marble cake but would probably go into a sugar overload and feel pookie.  I have strawberry shortcake with angel food cake instead.  I don't think I can wait until next Monday so I will have a pre-birthday celebration ahead of time.

Happy 47th to me!!  is it 47 leaning to the right like it was moving so fast? LOL

I have to have all of your love....

Heartbreaker - Cuz I la la la Love you

Stop and smell the roses

Whenever I get an invite for a wedding, I reply but I also include the simplest wedding advice.  "Stop and smell the roses" 
A girl dreams of her wedding day for so long and wants it to be perfect.  Of course just finding the perfect man is the hard part, but once you fall in love with him, all you can picture is what life will be like as his wife.  You start to imagine all the details you dreamed of as a girl.  It takes a lot of work and even more money to pull off the perfect wedding.  An hopefully, it is not perfect.  Something is bound to go wrong but hopefully it is only a minor problem... like the limo driver gets pulled over at Logan Airport as he is dropping you off for your flight to Aruba for honeymoon. True story...

But I always send this message on the reply card because brides are so caught up in the details, that they don't stop to take it all in.  They are too focused on the details that they don't catch their grandmother whispering to her son how proud she is of his daughter and how he raised such a beautiful girl.  The actual wedding itself goes by too quickly.  DO YOU.... take him?  DO YOU ...take her?  I now declare you husband and wife.
That one moment....
Capture that moment in your heart and in your head.... and stop and smell the roses

Bump in the Road

There are days that we have bumps in the road and have to pull ourselves together just to get through it.  The problems always seem so overwhelming and get us very upset that we can feel our blood pressure rise and every little thing seems to tick us off.  We feel the pressure and pain of life and feel like we are the only one who has to go through days like this.  Well it's not true.  We all have been there and have seen the darkest days to know that sunshine comes out after storms. Gary Allen, "Every Storm Runs out of Rain". 
And as bad as things are... there are people that are worst off and going through more of lifes trials and tribulations. Take a moment to de-stress and full deep breathe through your nose and breathe out the stress and anguish of whatever part of life is making you struggle right now.
My thoughts are hoping you get through whatever it is.... God Bless

Honey Lemon

Who came up with this concocktion?  Why is it suppose to help my throat feel better?  I have larengitis and that is the worst thing to have when my job is my voice.  I did go to work yesterday and my first phone call the guy was saying.."I can't hear you".  

I am going to try my best to go into work tomorrow but I don't know how long I will last.  The hot tea does feel good but still feels like I have two big tube socks rolled up in the back of my throat.  I also got some Claritin from the pharmacy and it says only take 1 pill in 24 hours so it must be strong stuff.  I hope I get rid of this soon.

I am eating and feeling okay...its just my voice and now I am coughing a little.  I could be worse.  I made some Southwestern Chicken Chili today and it felt good going down my throat.  I have watched NetFlix this afternoon so wasn't talking too much.  Now it is just wait and see how I wake up tomorrow. Kiss my forehead and make me feel bettah!