A Spring in my step!

Vig's walk in her neighborhood found these
lovely flowers blooming, as spring arrives. I borrowed her picture,
with of course her approval

Spring is here, and I could not be more excited, starting my day is a absolute breeze, its definitely so much easier than starting my day in the winter.

The winter is for "nesting" kinda like being dormant, as for spring, well my steps are "springer" and my thoughts are much lighter, much like the color yellow.

When I am out and about I appreciate everything so much more, I seem to stare at trees, flowers, and anything else that happens to be developing because of the season of spring. I never used to appreciate the special season as a youngster, but with age you definitely learn to look around and enjoy!

I see a change in my Dad as well, he is outside more, his mood is cheery, his face tan from sitting on his beloved deck. The smell of cigar lingers on the deck and then you know that he is near by. I have come to cherish that smell as odd as that may seem. Its just my dad enjoying his life.

Maybe the seasons are suppose to bring a change in our personalities, I guess it can be looked at that way. Each year I seem to change along with the seasons. Change is good, just as the season change is.

Life is what you embrace it to be, so I truly embrace, with no doubt, a spring in my step.

My High Seas Italian Stallion!

by Mary/MI

I am writing about my fun trip to the Caribbean. It came about when I went to Penny’s retirement party last summer. I worked with her at G.M.(General Motors )for many years. She mentioned that a group from work and a few of her relatives have been “cruising” for many years. One of her sisters said she couldn’t make it this year due to finances. This left someone without a cabin mate. She only had to ask me once if I wanted to go. I said “yes”! Pretty gutsy of me, a land lover” lol! There would be a total of 40 going from the Lansing area.

My room mate would be Diane.I couldn’t have asked for a better “roomie”. I knew her from work, but didn’t socialize. The whole week was like a high school pj party. We slept in, stayed out and partied, laid out in the sun, and roamed the Islands. We googly eyed all the Italian Stallions. There was one in particular that I was drooling over. He did nothing but walk around in his wonderful Italian cloths, dark skin and jet black hair. He seemed to be everywhere. He must have been there for just “our” pleasure lol!

On our last night our group went to a Disco. There, walking by in a black linen suit was my stallion! I was going to miss him! I looked up from my drink and saw something I will never forget! Diane was talking to him as they were walking towards me! She had asked him to have his picture taken with me!!

I almost passed out! He graciously stood behind me and posed for the pic! I shook his hand and thanked him. That is all I remember! I am sure I floated the rest of the night! Now THAT is a true friend!

I have waited to post this because I wanted to add the picture. It was taken with Diane’s camera. As you can see I got the picture!

Love them Italians!

Julie, go away

by Zona

Mr. Z and I were driving through the Target parking lot, when a song came on the radio. Although I hadn't heard it in, oh, say five years or more, I sang along without missing a beat. I don't know how I was able to do this considering, on a good day, I have a difficult time remembering why I walked into the kitchen. What's worse, it's been over two weeks and I still can't get this dang song out of my head. It comes to me out of the blue and I can't seem to fight it. I find myself singing it in the shower, while pushing a cart through the grocery store, and I was even embarrassed to find myself be-boppin' while singing it as I flipped through magazines at Barnes and Noble! I hum it here, I hum it there, I seem to hum it everywhere. It's not that I don't like it. I kinda do. Or I did. It's just that it won't go away. I know this has happened to everyone at one time or another, so you all know what I am going through. Do me a favor, please? Watch the video. Listen to the song. Sing along if you know it. Come back throughout the day and tell me if you find, like I did, that Julie just won't leave you alone.

~ Am I Invisible? ~

by Tina~in_ut

~for you.....and you know who you are~

Do you ever feel like you're invisible? Have you ever written something on the blog, and no one, I mean NO ONE, responds to you? My favorite is when you think you've written an extremely clever comment, and nothing! Zilch! Nada! Or better yet, you've been gone for a while and no one notices. I think this has happened to all of us at least once.

When I went to see Zona for the first time, we told very few people because I didn't want to have to explain everything if I didn't make the flight. After I arrived at her house, we went on the blog to tell everyone we were together and no one said anything. Here we were all excited, and nothing! I remember telling Zona that no one knew I was flying to AZ and what I wrote on the blog was a little bit cryptic if you didn't already know what was going on. So we went on our merry way and came back to the blog later and a couple of people had actually figured out what I had tried to say.

I've learned in the last year that just because you don't get a response, it doesn't mean that no one read it or no one liked it or it didn't make anyone laugh. I've had days where I can't get to the blog until late in the day and I will read something so freaking hilarious at the beginning, but by the time I catch up on the comments, I forget the first couple of things and only remember the funny ones at the end. It doesn't mean you haven't touched me with your comments/wit/troubles. I've also learned that I can't take anything personally. If I want to be "seen", I need to jump in and comment......more than once. I no longer worry about how many comments my blogs get. Some days there are a lot and some days, not so many. Does it really matter? No, it doesn't. There are days we are just too busy to be commenting or aren't in the mood. We sure do make up for it though, on other days!

So don't ever think you are invisible, because you're not. And don't forget.....we have lurkers. We have a duty to them as well. Hopefully they are learning from our fabulous friendships and wonderful words of wisdom! :)~ So get out there and be seen! I see you~

A Go Go!

by EBJ

Here is video that I thought would be good for a Sunday!

It is the Go Go's with Belinda Carlisle. I think she dances better in this video than she did on DWTS!

Enjoy!

Movie Trivia

Today I have taken you along with me for my morning cawfee,
as we drive I will be showing you a building in my
neighborhood that was used in a movie,
it was the exterior of the building that was used.
I have given some hints in the vid on which movie it is
see if you can guess the movie

Fun!

Extra Hints
Movie was based on a true story
One of the actors in the movie initials are CP

:O)

~ I Cried Him Into It ~

by Tina~in_ut

In fourth grade, the boys and girls at school decide whether or not they want to be altar servers at church. That is the year they are allowed to start. In October of 2000, my family went to 12 o'clock mass like we did every week, and afterward, I noticed that many of my son's friends were there, but I hadn't seen them at mass. I asked my son why they were all there. He said that it was the first day of altar server class. I asked him why he wasn't going. He said that he didn't want to do it. I couldn't believe my ears. I had always planned for all three of my children to become altar servers. My brothers weren't altar boys and when I was young, girls couldn't be and I wanted to. I really couldn't believe what I was hearing. I started crying. I'm not sure why it was so important to me. Maybe I was one of those mother's that wanted to live vicariously through her kids......or maybe I was just PMS'ing~ Either way, the crying worked. He went to class with his friends.

I remember the first mass that he served at. My favorite priest, Fr. Tom, said the mass. My son and his classmate were supposed to be serving with an older boy who would show them what to do if they forgot. The older boy did not show. They were on their own. They did a good job and only made minor mistakes. At the end of the service, before he walked out, Fr. announced to the entire congregation that it was the boys' first time serving and they did it all on their own and congratulated them. Everyone clapped. Proud Mommy moment.

Three years later, my twins became altar servers. My oldest showed them the ropes. In fact, he taught quite a few of the younger kids what to do. He was very patient and kind and always seemed to know what needed to be done. I would watch him closely and notice a look here or a nod there where he would silently tell the others what to do next. I don't think he ever realized what a good example he was for the kids.

Once the kids graduate from 8th grade, they usually stop serving. Since the twins still were, my oldest did as well. By then, we were going to the 8am mass because that's when they needed servers the most. It was very hard sometimes to make it to the early mass, especially as the kids got older and all of our schedules got busier and busier. Even though we tried changing to the 5pm Saturday mass a couple of times, we always went back to where the kids were needed the most......8am on Sunday. There were a couple of years where the Mr and I were Eucharistic Ministers as well. All five of us were on the altar with the priest at the same time. Can you even picture that? (that's a rhetorical question!)

The twins are graduating from 8th grade next month. I finally told the person in charge that the kids will no longer be serving as of the April schedule. My oldest served for 8 years and the twins for 5 years. Easter Sunday was their last mass as altar servers. I cried of course.......and brought my camera. (that's what scrapbooking mother's do!) I watched my older son sitting next to the priest and deacon. He looked so peaceful and reverent. I smiled. I knew he was thinking about what we should have for breakfast and what xbox game he should play when he got home. I was right, too. He grinned when I asked him about it and said, "How did you know?" I laughed...."because I'm your mother!" I'm really going to miss this........

Sister Myotis on Thongs

by Dianne_wearing_a_thong_in_Denver

A very good friend sent this youtube video to me and I instantly thought of ....who else...all my owl friends. We haven't celebrated "Thong Thursday" for quite some time so thought maybe this would get us back in the mood. I guess the snow and winter temperatures have kept us from being in our normal attire but it is almost time!! I hope you get a laugh out of this video like I did and I think you will each know why it made me think of The Nest!!

What the Earth means to me!

by Iteach

Right now my head is swimming with information on how to make the Earth a better place. There is so much to share that I don't know where to start. I have hit the backspace key so many times because I can't decide where to begin. However, when it comes right down to it all that is easy to explain is how the Earth is so important to me.

Let's begin with the colors of the Earth. Each time I see the colors of the fall leaves or the rich deep soil from the fields they make me smile in amazement. I can't help but giggle each time I discover a rainbow after a storm. It is amazingly beautiful and so are the rich wildflowers. I'm very grateful to see that beauty during my walks.

Then there is the smell of the Earth after rain. Certain earthly smells relax my shoulders and make me feel right at home. I love to start my nature walks with a great big deep breath. I always find that each season has its own unique smell to me, it is better then a candle.

Whenever, I take my walks I never have any of those little listening devices in my ears. All I want to hear is the wind, water, or birds. The music distracts me from appreciating all what is outside. Then there is the sense of touch. I love feeling the green grass on my feet and the wind on my face.

All of the above is taken for granted by all of us. I wonder what life would be like without the Earth's beauty? I don't think I want to know. Therefore, I will continue to teach my students how to take of the Earth and at the same time I will practice what I teach.

The Poor Kitties

by Zona

I got a call from my sister last week. She was in tears. Somehow, a dog had gotten into her backyard and killed 2 of her cats. Wait, not just killed......this dog ripped them apart. Mr. Z and I went over there to try and calm her down and help dispose of the remains. It was just so sad.

She told me that she walked into the backyard after work and stood face to face with the dog. It had a collar and tags, so it wasn't a stray. She screamed and it started towards her, and then veered off towards the side of her house. She got the hose and ran around the corner, but it was gone. It's hard to believe, but it looks like the dog climbed over her 6 ft block fence.

This isn't the first time this has happened. Each time, she calls animal control, and each time, they say they can't do anything until a person is hurt. WTC!!! Don't they realize that that's probably exactly what will happen next? There are little kids playing on my sister's street all day. They ride their bikes up and down the sidewalk and run back and forth through each others yards. Animal Control just doesn't seem to get it. She's warned them and warned them. I would hate to see such a tragedy happen, but unfortunately, I think it's only a matter of time before it does.

And what about the owners of this dog? Where are they? How can they just let this animal run around the neighborhood, killing other people's pets and endangering everyone else? I just don't understand any of this at all.

I love animals and my sister means the world to me. This whole situation just breaks my heart.

~ Spring is Here ~

by Tina~in_ut





I love it in the Spring right after it has snowed. It usually snows during the night or early morning and by the afternoon, it has melted in the valley but the mountains are covered. The air is crisp and cool, usually around 50 degrees, and the sun is shining. This is the view that the kids at my hubby's school have when they are daydreaming and looking out the window. When I look out the window at work to watch the planes take off, this is the spectacular backdrop. The mountains still take my breath away even after fifteen years. I'm very blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the country.

Packaging

by Lynnd

I hope that you have watched the video with Susan Boyle. I don’t know if any of you had seen this but it hits me every time I watch it. My hair on my neck and arms stand up, tears well up in my eyes and my heart feels full. My whole body reacts. I saw someone on another blog post about this and their comment was “Love is universal and beauty is not a visual.” they were right but I think to me beauty is more visceral. You know when you are in the presence of true beauty. Whether it is a painting or beautiful song or voice sounding like an angel. You know it when you meet someone and they just have a glow you can’t explain. It hits you like this did me in the emotional gut level. No intellect involved you just know.

Funny how Susan appears in the video and you make automatic assumption based on what? Her packaging her outer appearance. I watched and right away I had a reaction to her based only on her cheeky sense of humor. I admired her honesty and was hoping she would do well.

Then I watched as she came out and how the audience reacted to her packaging. They were rude and dismissive ready to laugh mockingly. Even the judges were condescending you can see it in their faces and mannerisms and tone of voice. Simon talks to her like she is a doddering old fool and possibly a little off of her nut.

Then you hear the music cue up and she sings her first note. Tears were my very first reaction that visceral punch to the gut. True beauty right there in that plain wrapper. Somehow I did not doubt that she would be a good singer but I never guessed that it was going to be so beautiful that is almost other wordly. I loved watching the audience and judges sit stunned. For me it was a Take That moment from the universe or higher power. We were being reminded that it is not what the outer package looks like that determines what is inside, it is our preconceived ideas and notions that stop us from appreciating true beauty set before us.

Many of you watch AI and I could never get into it and always wondered why. I think I know now that it is a show to me that relies heavily on packaging. They try to package for a certain age group and for the masses. What they have not figured out is you can’t package real beauty and true talent as it is gifted from a higher place.

Click here for video

Did you know?

by EBJ

I received this video recently, and wanted to share with all of you, it got me thinking.

Elia Kazan

by Scirish

I have been reading an autobiography of Elia Kazan…..brief history… he was the director of: On the Waterfront, East of Eden, Streetcar Named Desire, to name a few. The man behind these enduring movies was a conflicted soul both in his boyhood life and his professional and married life. He was a boy that his Father deemed worthless, as he had no desire or talent for the family rug business. He was gawky and unattractive in his youth. When he entered his teen years he had all the angst of a boy, but also had to come to terms with being a bit lopsided “down there” because of a case of teenage mumps. He did not come into his own in his career easily. He started on the Theater stage although he wasn’t sure he liked acting. He studied with the “Group Theater Company” which is where he picked up the nickname “Gadget” because of his talent with stage management. It is also when he joined the Communist Party. Now please remember, this was about 1934, the depression was rampant, and the Communist Party was embraced by many, as a solution to the terrible ills that were plaguing the country. About 18 months later, Elias Kazan formally resigned from the party. His resignation was due to a dawning recognition that “The Party” was not about “freedom” or “independent thinking”, He dared to step out of the boundaries and was chastised publicly in a meeting. During and after that meeting, none of his “party” friends would meet his gaze. He felt that he made the right decision to resign.

Fast forward to the 1950’s… From Wikipedia

Kazan remained controversial until his death for testimony he gave before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1952, in which (after previously refusing to do so) he provided the names of associates from his days as a member of the Communist Party of the United States of America in the 1930s.

In his autobiography you can just hear the conflict he still has about this. He originally was not going to name anyone. He was expecting the summons, even talked it over with his studio head and backers (by this time he was a golden boy, with not only movies that were extraordinarily successful, but successful plays on Broadway as well) He says in his book that if he didn’t name names he would never be able to work again, and if he couldn’t work he would have died. He also says that he talked to his closest friends and they already knew they were being investigated, so they were not going to be upset about him naming them.

All that changed when he did actually name names….He became a pariah… people that had curried favor before actually crossed the street to avoid him. Playwrights pulled their plays…Movie backers disappeared. The amount of hate directed at him AND his wife and children was astronomical. In fact in 1999, he was given a lifetime achievement award and people that were not even born when this all happened booed him.

I am not sure if he did what he did out of really feeling that the Communist Party and their teachings were inappropriate and bad for the country or if he just did it to survive, but he certainly did pay for his brief foray into unacceptable politics.

What do you think? Was he really convinced that the Communist Party should be thwarted, or was he saving his butt? Should he have named names or kept quiet and hoped that he could still work? Did he deserve the award?

Cherry Blossoms

It is Cherry Blossom time here in NJ, and they are just beautiful, last year I wrote a blog about these charming Cherry Blossom's.

This year I am taking you all along for a ride with me thru the park where the Cherry Blossoms live. I hope you enjoy the vid, just as much as I did making it.

It is a little slice of my world.

Enjoy!

Taking Care of Our Earth

by Iteach

Good Morning Owls!!

(pause)

Let's try that again, Good Morning Owls!!!

Now I hear you! :)

Today owls we are going to review the topic of Taking Care of our Earth. Yes, owls, we have discussed this before in class, but it is very worthy of another lesson. Before we learn new ideas of being "green" let's activate our prior knowledge and review amongst ourselves what we have learned from our fellow owl friends about how to take care of the Earth. If you are having a hard time remembering our prior discussions, I'm sure Shirley, our history & stat. teacher will guide us to correct blogs.

Here our some guidelines while you are reviewing with your partners.

1. No talking about porn unless you can some how relate it to taking care of the Earth.

2. Remember to be good listeners and to give kudos to your friends for participating.

3. Watch your language, because Principal Tinka will be watching.

Today's discussions will help you for your next assignment. Yes, that is right you will have an assignment. School is not over for another seven weeks. I would like you to do some research and teach your fellow owls something new about being friendly to the Earth. It can be a tiny useful tidbit of information or a lengthy essay. You will post this assignment on the blog Wed., April 22nd, since that is Earth Day. We will have a fun Earth Day celebration.

Okay, I have talked enough. It is now time for you to share what you already know about today's topic with other owls.

~ Epilepsy ~

by Tina~in_ut

For IBB

There is nothing in the world like waking up from a deep sleep to see paramedics standing over you. The feeling of dread is overwhelming. You want answers, but so do they.

"What is your name?" "Tina."
"What day is it?" "I don't know.....but I never know!"
"Who is the President?" "I don't know that either, but I know I don't like him!"

They chuckle and go about their business, which just happens to be me. I look over at my family to gauge from the look on their faces how bad it was this time. I forget that it's always bad. I fall back into a deep sleep. I wake up again as I'm being wheeled into the ER. I look at the cute Paramedic and tell him that I remember who the President is......Clinton! I knew I didn't like him! They tell the staff that my sense of humor is intact and that I'm in pretty good shape. I know better. I know my license will be taken away, which quite frankly, I don't mind. I know that this will be hard on my husband because he will have to drive me everywhere again. I can't stand being a burden. BUT......although I'm bruised and have a monster headache, I'm ever so grateful that I did not hurt anyone else.

I didn't get my driver's license until I was 22 years old. My doctor would not sign off on it. I found out later that many others would have. It's okay though. I have always had a fear that I would have a seizure while driving and hurt an innocent person. It terrified me when my children were younger. Now my kids know how to grab the wheel and keep the car straight, at the very least. I've been lucky that all my seizures have been at home.....most in the bathroom. I don't know what it is about the tiny space, but twice I had just turned off the water after a shower. Can you imagine the poor souls that had to get me out of there?!! Once it was my sister and the other time my sister-in-law! I owe them big time. My sister says she is scarred for life.....and not from the seizure.......it was my nekkidness~

I don't ever think about my epilepsy until something either happens to me or someone I know. It's just an every day part of my life. I realize that I could be really hurt by it or worse. I'm fine with that.....as long as no one else is hurt. IBB, although you miss your friend, I can guarantee you that she is eternally grateful that no one else was hurt when it was her time. Although extremely saddened, her granddaughter is okay and was not hurt and was lucky enough to spend her grandma's last moments with her. I don't suppose you will ever understand the loss of your friend, but hopefully it will comfort you knowing that you have one more angel in Heaven watching over you. Maybe Dale can even help protect you from all those bears~ xoxoxoxo

Free at last!

Hooray, its here, lent is over, my life as I know it is back.. I am back.. and full of porn.. Oh my, I wonder whats on the playboy channel tonite, or Logo, they have some really neat pornish things going on. I have missed it so, I think I will be up all night long, just getting back in the groove of things, and meeting up with all my porn friends..

I can run to 69 and 169 and even 269, I can send out pornish comments, and receive them as well. I can talk all I want about porn, and no one can say a word.

Tina, your job is now complete, you were a terrific "lent monitor" but it is time for you to move on, go to the wonders of the earth and help others who were on the wrong path during lent. However, please don't tell them all the 69's you did on the older blogs when no one was watching, cause that would be so very wrong. You are going to have to lie, its the only way..

I was sent this video, I did not watch it till after midnight last night (I am lying, I watched it as soon as I got it). I am so very excited to share it with you all. If you have little children in the room, please cover their eyes..

This is my kind of porn, at its finest.. Hooray!!!!!



Hippoty Hoppity ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

:O)

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

~ Hallelujah ~

by Tina~in_ut

for Helen.....who just LOVES this song~

Growing up, my dad used to wake us up on Easter morning with this song blasting throughout the house. I miss it. I always thought it was so pretty and then it would dawn on me that I wanted to scream Hallelujah with them. Hearing that song meant Lent was over. Catholics don't say or sing the word Hallelujah (means Praise God) during the entire season of Lent, so it's a big deal to hear it on Easter Sunday. Hearing it meant that I could have chocolate, or soda, or watch TV again.....or whatever I gave up for Lent that year! It meant getting together with my big family, having lots of food, and an Easter Egg Hunt.

Now it just reminds me of my dad. I can see him at the record player putting the needle on the record at just the right spot and playing it for the tenth time that morning......over and over it played. I'd even get in the shower and come out and it would still be playing. He wouldn't stop until my mom got sick of it and told him to stop playing it. lol!~ Then, of course, we would hear it at church. I always thought, "Ha! My dad already played that this morning. You're too late!"

While searching for just the right video of this song, I found one with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing and thought.....uh....not! I found one with the words and it was okay. And then I found this one. I was so excited. It's in a church in Rome that I've visited called Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. It's the only Gothic style church in Rome and so beautiful inside. There is nothing I love more than beautiful music in a beautiful church in my favorite city in the world. I hope you all have a Blessed Easter Sunday.

Enjoy the Ride

by Sandie

A friend sent this link to me the other day and I just had to share it with all of you. It addressed many things we've discussed in the nest. It made me stop, think and slow down--and it made me smile!! I hope it does the same for you.

So, here's a hug from me to each of you. xoxoxo

Click Here

Passover with my family.....

by Maureen

Some of you may know that on April 8th at sundown marks the beginning of Passover or Pesach. Last year I wrote a blog about the religious aspects of the holiday. I don't have a copy of it, but if anyone wants to read it, I volunteer our nest historian SHIRLEY to research the past blogs and let you know where it is :)

This year I decided to write a personal account of Passover in my "mishuganah" (crazy) family! You probably can tell from so many of my posts that I have a lot of cousins and we gather often. We absolutely love each other but even better is we like each other...a lot! Even the goofballs, loonies, whackos and "fermished" (confused) amongst us! And the "mishpucha" (honorary family) are every bit as special to be with.

This year, like last we will gather at Elaine's. There will be 3 tables set. The main dining table will seat the cousins that are more sedate. The table in the living room will seat the late comers and the cousins that are not as present. The cousins that have the two twin boys that are extremely ADHD and will down can after can of Coke...feeding their frenzy and getting louder with each story they relate to us. I for one will become exhausted after listening to them for even a few minutes! These are the same boys that at a Bar Mitzvah a few years ago drank numerous cups of coffee, slice after slice of cake and pie and then filled their cups with chocolate from the chocolate fountain...then spent the night barfing in the hotel room! And the next day their mom couldn't understand why they were sick! The third table, in between the others will be the "COOL" table! The table I generally sit at ;) This table will be the cousins that are sorta in the same age range. We will discuss Idol, DWTS and how crazy the boys at the other table are! We will repeat over and over how full we are as we are asking each other to pass another platter of something our way! Then a couple of us will prop ourselves up and head out to the patio to "observe the foliage"...code for having a cig!

Among the tables will be the pitter patter of little feet as the youngest of the cousins (5 - 10) will be running back and forth between the back bedroom with the video games and the basement with the pool table and ping pong table. Not a morsel of food will pass between their lips, but a number of sodas will! Just what they need...more sugar! Along the way, one at a time they will stop and ask one of us to play with them. The answer will be the same...in a few minutes! If we play our cards right we will be in the car on the way home before they realize not one of us hit a ping pong ball or racked up the pool balls even once!

Together we will sit and share stories of Passover pasts. Joanne, the matriarch of our family will enlighten us with family stories. Since she is the eldest we will have no idea if they are real or a figment of her very fertile imagination! But, we will listen with open ears and wide eyes. Then, when she leaves the room for something we will all say...no way did that ever happen!! Or did it???? We will spend a good deal of the time "plotzing" (laughing our asses off) until we cry!

Before anyone leaves they will be armed with a shopping bag full of Tupperware, Glad containers, baggies and foil wrapped plates of delicacies. A "nosh" (snack) for the next day...or two...or three!

Speaking of delicacies, there are certain foods that are traditional and some that are taboo. As we have gotten older the religious aspects seem to wane. When I was a kid we said the prayers and followed the traditions, rites and rituals. Now, the youngest generations are the children of Jewish / Catholic marriages and the traditions are not followed. One taboo is anything leavened or made with flour. A couple of years ago, one of the Catholic cousins was doing her Easter baking and brought, as her contribution - - pepperoni bread! We all chowed down on it...at the Seder table! That was after we had matzo ball soup with noodles! Oopsies! The traditional foods were there, just peppered with some things we all just like! One honorary cousin was asked by Elaine to bake and bring an Apple cake, since she makes it so darn good...to hell with the fact it is made of flour!

Finally, after a few hours, one by one we will leave with our doggie bags. Some of us will get on our cell phones and chat as we go to our homes and talk about how much fun we just had, how we can't believe that we "fressed" (ate) like a "faird" (horse), how crazy Joanne was... and how we can't wait until the next night as we do it all over again! Then once home we will plop down on our beds, tummies full and go "shluphin" (to sleep) and dream of giant matzo balls and the attack of the gefilte fish!

So that is a little insight into the holiday with my family! If you were here, you would all be invited...and you could sit at the "cool" table!

~ It Could Be Worse! ~

by Tina~in_ut

Imagine you are flying to Florida on your first real vacation in months. You leave your house all excited and happy only to find out that your flight is delayed due to weather in Atlanta, your connecting city. Well, these things happen, so you grab a cup of coffee, buy your favorite magazine, and wait. After an hour delay, you board the plane and head to Atlanta. What you don't realize is, while en route, the weather in Atlanta is getting worse. Your connecting flight, which you were going to just barely make, has been canceled. By the time you arrive, all windblown and wet (you had a window seat!), the next six flights to your destination have filled. Instead of arriving at 11:14am, you got the last seat on the flight that arrives at 11:01pm. You've lost a day of your vacation and you are mad! You call reservations to complain, but you get the feeling that the agent is just rolling her eyes and crocheting a blanket while you yell. Then you overhear the gate agent telling another passenger that if he can talk a pilot into flying a plane in this weather, then she'll personally put him on the plane. That's when you realize there is nothing you can do and resign yourself to waiting. I mean really.......it could be worse!


Prague's Franz Kafka International Named World's Most Alienating Airport

Just not fair...

I was handed some information yesterday, that I must admit pissed me off. I was told of a women who is a friend of a friend. She is a single mom with two teenage children. This woman, we will call her Jane, works a couple of hours a day in a dry cleaning store, she works off the books, so she can collect Social Security, Welfare, Food Stamps and whatever else the state shells out to her. Jane filed her income tax return back in January, her tax application was held because of some sort of glitch. When I was told this I thought it had to do with her address, because on her tax return application she used the address of where she works, and I thought for sure, she might be in trouble.

Well I guess the state is not as smart as I thought they were because the other day, she got a 6 thousand dollar check in the mail from the IRS, which was her tax return. So whatever the glitch was, it did not seem to matter, because the check is proof.

How does Jane get such a large tax return, but pay nothing into it? The money she lives on comes from the state which enables her to care for her family. Why would Jane be entitled to this large sum of money?

My business pays so many taxes, that I could never keep up, I have a payroll company and an accountant to take care of this for me, which in turn I pay them for there services. I get nothing back for my business, and I usually just get a small amount back for myself.

When my family sold some property that we had since the 70's the sale was mostly profit, so we had to pay the IRS 30 thousand dollars out of the sale of the property. My family's hard earned money, the money that is to be used for my parents retirement. And some of it went right to the IRS.

Does this make sense? I am so baffled by this whole ordeal, that it has me so angered.

Why is the middle class always the one that takes the hit from all ends?

Something is very wrong!

~ Another Successful Blog Buddy Meeting ~

by Tina~in_ut

"Another Successful Blog Buddy Meeting!" Ugh! I can’t stand hearing that. I always think, “Big deal! So two people (or more) were able to get their act together and be in the same place at the same time!” To me, success is meeting, leaving each others' company, making plans to get together again, and actually doing it! Anyone can meet. Not everyone wants to meet up again. kwim?

I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve only met one person that I don’t need to see again and she isn’t even on this blog. I’m sure she feels the same way. Although pleasant, we just didn’t hit it off. And that’s fine. We tried. It's okay to find out that you don't get along with someone. Not everyone is going to become best friends.

I’ve been lucky enough to meet some ladies that I can’t wait to get together with again and there are still others that I am just dying to meet. I’ve gotten together with Zona four times. I’ve stayed at her house and she at mine. I’ve had lunch with Mek twice. I spent 8 out of 9 days of my vacation in Hawaii hanging out with super cool Kgrl. And I got to spend three fun-filled days with Dianne_not_in_Denver_at_the_time. I really enjoyed my time with all of them. (Please don't ask them how they felt.....that's for another blog!) I want to go back to Hawaii before summer and I really want a nonstop flight from here to Madison and College Station airports to magically appear to make it easier for me to fly there, among other places.

One of the funniest things to me about meeting some of you is that I wasn't nervous......or THAT nervous. When I met Mek, it was like we were childhood friends who hadn't seen each other for a while. When I went to Zona's house, I hopped on the plane, got in the car, and didn't even think of being nervous until I was walking up to her door. That was short lived!!!! She had a picture of my favorite person on it! I laughed so hard, I forgot to hug her when she answered the door. Every time I've seen her since, it's like we are sisters who haven't seen each other in a long time and can't wait to catch up. Kgrl and I are such opposites. I don't think that we would ever have met if we lived in the same area. We wouldn't have hung out at the same places, so I'm very grateful that I met her on the blog. She is an amazing, funny person. The poor thing.....I wasn't nervous at all with her. We kinda took her by surprise at work and I jumped outta the car and gave her a big hug! Now Di.....when Zona and I went to the airport to pick her up, Zona asked me if I was nervous. I looked at her funny and asked her why I would be nervous. She said because we were meeting Di. I looked at her like she had grown horns. It was then that I realized that I had never met Di......for some reason I felt like I already had! For propriety's sake, I'll just say that it was like getting together with my older sister when I met Di! :D

Many of us on the blog have become friends who talk on the phone, visit, or just email/snail mail. In the past year and a half, I have come to think of many of you as "real" friends, even if we only "talk" on the blog. We keep coming back day in and day out, or sometimes just here and there......but we keep coming back. To me, THAT is success!

Driving in the Rain!

I am on my way to work, will ya join me? Actually if you watch the vid, I don't think you have choice

RonnieGirl this is my vid "donation" oh, crap I mean "dedicated" to you

Totally Fun!

Enjoy :O)

"Anyway, Anyway, Anyway, yadda, yadda, yadda"

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Songbird

by EBJ

This song was written by Christine McVie when she was with Fleetwood Mac. It is said to be a lullaby, a love song, an anthem for the band, or a song about nothing. I think it so lovely.

The original recording of the song was done at the Zellerbach Auditorium on the UC Berkeley campus. It was recorded there because the acoustics she could get in the auditorium were not achievable in a studio.

I can't find the original recording, but this is the song live from The Dance tour in 1997.

For you, there'll be no more crying
For you, the sun will be shining
And I feel that when I'm with you
It's alright, I know it's right

To you, I'll give the world
To you, I'll never be cold
'Cause I feel that when I'm with you
It's alright, I know it's right

And the songbirds are singing,
Like they know the score
And I love you, I love you, I love you
Like never before

And I wish you all the love in the world
But most of all, I wish it from myself

And the songbirds are singing
Like the knew the score
And I love you, I love you, I love you
Like never before, like never before

My Day!

Its Saturday, I am out and about, love my Saturdays,
its my do as I please day. Totally free, no deadlines, just get in the car and see where it takes me. Usually the mall, or Walmart, and perhaps if there is time a pedicure. So I am off to the highways and byways of Northern NJ,
we shall see where this Saturday takes me!

Fun!

Oh, and I can't forget lunch, perhaps
today will be Applebees Buffalo wings, with blue cheese
Yep, I think that will be perfect!

:O)

Chocolate Hoarder?

I am sitting here thinking, and for some reason I am thinking of chocolate. Funny how thoughts pop into ones mind at certain times. Now I have thought of chocolate many times before, but my thinking process is somewhat different this time. I really don't love chocolate, its not one of my favorites snacks, yet I find myself eating it anyway. When I am in a store, looking for a snack I always look to the chocolate bars knowing I don't love them, yet thinking I want it. I do buy it, but it will sit in a drawer out of view for days, or weeks sometimes before I eat it. Most of the time I don't even eat it, I have thrown so many chocolate bars away, cause I think I have it to long and the taste will not be the same. So my question to myself is, am I a chocolate hoarder? Can it be that I just like to buy it knowing I am not going to eat it, but want to save it? Or, perhaps I know its fattening, so I want to be a rebel and buy it, but not eat it?

I also noticed I don't like to share my chocolate, if I have some I will never tell anyone, so I don't have to share. But do I not share, so I can hoard it all in a drawer?

I really can't answer these questions, cause I have no idea why for years I have been doing this. Can it be that I need an intervention? I just hope I am never exiled to Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory, cause I would either starve to death or take the place apart piece by piece, only to throw each piece away in the biggest garbage dumpster I can muster up!

:O)

I said yesterdays blog in the vid, as I was going to post this vid tomorrow, but I added it tonite..

My 2009 Adventure

by Mary/MI

I am still at home making all the necessary pre-vacation tasks. I have filled my prescriptions, packed most of my things, and double checking many lists. I have a few obligations to fulfill, such as my VFW Aux. Treas. Paperwork, and of course making sure that the men folk are left with the necessities to keep them alive until I get back!

I am excited about this new adventure. It has been a while since I have traveled without a family member or friend. I will be traveling with a few co-workers and their friends and or family. I have always had a love/hate relationship with the sea. I love the beauty of it, but am also frightened by its ability to swallow me up!

I will be gone for a week. I am taking my lap top to write my journal. I am sure I will not have internet service aboard ship. I will miss you all but will be having a yellow time!

What great adventures will you be going on, or wish you could? My fantasy dream is to kidnap all of you and whisk you off to the places you have dreamed of.

Never stop dreaming!

Song for the Happy!

I felt like being Happy, some days are so hum drum, that I needed I lift, so I searched on youtube for something cheery, anything would do, as long as it was upbeat and cheery. I came across many, as we all know we can find just about anything on youtube.

This video definitely gave me the happy I needed, I love this scene, and I have not seen if for a while. Mostly everyone at the table is happy, except for just a few, but you see, you would never know that, cause happiness covers the sadness. And watching this video, just made me realize that even tho I wanted Happy, sadness mixed in was just fine.

As in life, happiness and sadness is a daily mixture, with each day we hope that Happy prevails, and if not, we always have tomorrow.


Scene from the movie "My Best Friends Wedding"

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