Why Do They Need Nipples?

Is this necessary?

So I was shopping this evening and I noticed in JcPenny that all the women mannequins had nipples. Why I'm not sure. Was it really cold in the store or is it just that mannequin manufactures need to throw more sex into the mix because sex sells? As if the overwhelming majority of clothing wasn't sexy enough, you have to sell it this way? I don't know why this bothered me so much today...maybe I'm a little older or maybe my morality has caught up with me. Either way, is there any place it's safe to go without being assaulted with sexual images such as this?

'HABEMUS PAPAM'

It's so interesting watching the annoucement of the news of the Catholic Church's new Pope, Pope Benedict XVI. First the smoke came and then the bells tolled for a long time. Soon St. Peter's Square was packed, I mean packed. They announced Cardinal Ratzinger of Germany and people screamed in jubilation. For a Catholic who has never experienced a Pope's election it is extraordinary to watch the ceremony and the excitement of people. He's got huge shoes to fill and many things to do. So a little prayer comes from me for him to have the wisdom and grace to do God's work. And remember Pope Benedict XVI, "Do not be afraid." Amen..

Cleaning at 1 a.m.?

Ok, so how many of you out there clean your house starting at 10:30 p.m.? Am I the only one? If you think I'm crazy, I must be a little. Because the past week my home has managed to explode in dirtiness and I don't hardly even seem to be home. Today my Aunt and Uncle are coming to visit and I don't want to think I'm a slob. So I dusted, threw crap away and swept the floor at 1 a.m. If I'd just learn the art of cleaning as you go along, these things might stop happening to me.

The World Grieves for One Man

Not Only the Eternal City, But a Packed One

They Are There for One Man

24 hours.
That's the amount of time some people faced waiting in lines to catch only a brief glimpse of the body of Pope John Paul II.
Pilgrims slept in the streets when the lines were closed over night, and sang and prayed in line. And once inside the Basilica, there was silence.
Reverance for the man whose death brought more than 1 million to pass him yesterday and another 2 today and tomorrow. A man who an estimated 2 to 3 million Polish country men and women boarded trains, planes and buses to pay their respects at his funeral Friday. A man where more than 200 heads of state, including Fidel Castro, will attend his funeral.
I am awe struck at the photos and video coming from the Vatican and around the world this week. Who knew one man could stir the world like he did?
While everyone didn't agree with what he said, I don't know any one who didn't respect him. One who stood up for his beliefs and took them to the world like few others evagelizing. Yes fellow Catholics, he was one of the great evangelizers of our time. He went to the corners of the world to tell of his love for God and made sure everyone from the rich to the poor heard his message.
I feel lucky to be alive at this time. To be a witness to the life of a great man. And to watch the millions who dropped what they were doing and went to Rome and the Vatican just for those few seconds to see the small man dressed in blood red vestments who changed the world.

Gone Home, Never Forgotten

A New Journey Begins

At approximately 9:37 p.m. Rome time Pope John Paul II died and went to be a peace.

It has been extrodinary to watch and listen to the media accounts surrounding his illness, decline and now death. More than a billion (yes, that's with a B) Catholics around the world have been offering prayers as well as people from all walks of faith. This was a a great man who had the admiration of many including myself. He held tight his beliefs and refused for others to corrupt it. He was loved by the young, and everyone who I have ever heard who had met him spoke the the energy, the passion the love they felt, even as his age and Parkinsons disease took hold of his body.

So today I am in mourning with the world but I am at peace because I know the Pope is now starting a new journey, a journey to be with his best Lord, and because of this it is also a joyous time. And in honor of a man who stood for peace I submit to you a Prayer for Peace from St. Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

At Peace

Terri Shiavo died this morning at 9:05 a.m. in Pinellas Park. What a shame that even to her last moments her family and husband couldn't come together to be with her at the end. They couldn't even be in the same room when she died. And now there may be a fight over her funeral and burial arrangements. How horrible this is. That her family hate each other so that this poor woman was put in the middle of that hate and made the subject of it.

Be at peace Terri

An Easter Miracle!

So I came back from taking Friday off and low and behold, my neighbor, the great Randu, had completely cleaned his desk, minus the few crumbs and dust he left. I was speechless. Unfortunately he is not here today so I couldn't enquire what came over him. I guess if you wish and pray hard enough, anything can happen, even Randy's desk being clean.

Quote of the Day

"Nothing will work unless you do."
- Maya Angelou (poet/writer)

I am beginning to understand this more and more. Even if you are not working at a paying job, there is always "work" out there that needs to be done.

NakeDan - The Remix

Remember NakeDan the Handyman? Well it seems that press release I was making fun of made its way around the media circuit and has gotten the man LOTS of media play. Supposidly he is booked thru almost the end of next month and charges $130 an hour. If you want to read my papers take on the guy you can click below. The best is if you happen to live in the Tampa Bay area and you can pick up a copy of the paper, to see this woman leering at this naked guy is worth your 50 cents.

What Do You Say To A Naked Handyman?

A Little Rain Got Me Down? Nahhh!!

Reason #1

Reason #2

So it's been raining a little here in Central Florida, I just happy I don't have to ever deal with things like this above. My friend Aaron forwarded these photos, he says these are from coastal Mass. and resulted from a bad winter storm. Hey at least I don't need a blowtorch to get into my car here.

Mine Irish Eyes Are Smiling!

Happy St. Patrick's Day. According to the 2000 U.S. Census more than 34 million Americans claim Irish heritage. I am one of those. My mother's grandparents came from Limerick, Ireland, the O'Conners. My Mom talks about her grandfather O'Conner who wouldn't let you leave his home of St. Patricks Day without something green on to celebrate. My bloodline has taken many twists and turns and now includes German from Obergailbach (which is now France) and areas in Prussia, now Poland. And now I'm married to a first generation Hungarian-American.

But today it's all about the Irish. So wear your green and have some Irish brew. I'll be toasting my great-grandparents and thanking them for my grandmother who of course gave me my mother thus allowing me to be here, the mutt that I am.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Briefs Barers Force Stance Against Underpants

Will showing too much of your drawers be illegal in Florida? This legislator is trying. Check out this article, pretty funny! Also, this is one of the better headlines I've seen in a little while.

Briefs Barers Force Stance Against Underpants: From The Tampa Tribune

Briefs Barers Force Stance Against Underpants

Will showing too much of your drawers be illegal in Florida? This legislator is trying. Check out this article, pretty funny! Also, this is one of the better headlines I've seen in a little while.

Briefs Barers Force Stance Against Underpants: From The Tampa Tribune

Thank Goodness They Come Only Once a Year!

So yummy..

They got him. The cute neighborhood Girl Scout caught my husband and caught some of his money. He said he was guilted in to it. He saw the list and didn't want to be the neighbor who didn't buy any. And he didn't want to be the cheap neighbor by only buying one box. So six boxes of Girl Scout cookies showed up in my kitchen last week. Two Thin Mints, Two Dosidos and two Tagalongs (my favorite cookie of all time.)

Now all sense goes out the door when a box of Tagalongs sits in front of me. Something about the chocolate, peanut butter and cookie. It's hard to stop eating them. I am just so thankful that they aren't available in Publix because I know there I would be walking down the aisle and suddenly there would be two boxes in my cart.

Thank goodness they are only available once a year!

May the Starch Be With You!

Au Gratin, I am Your Father!

This is Hasbro's latest Mr. Potato Head, Darth Tater. It is coming out later this year to coincide with the next Star Wars movie. I know my bro-in-law Goo, (That's the nickname he has, he lives in Jacksonville, what do you want?) would LOVE this since he loves all things Star Wars.

For some reason all things Mr. Potato Head makes me smile and this one is no different. I have heard Mr. Potato had an exclusive interview with an editor at the paper I work at and the interview is coming soon. Will post the link when it's published.

What's next? Obi Wan Au Gratin? Princess Fish-fil-e-a? Big League Chewbaca? Thankfully I can't take credit for those above, Pat of Mr. Doodles Dog Fame and the famous Daily Dave came up with those. They are fun no less.

Moi, Paranoid? YES!

So I'm driving my husband's pride and joy today, his car. He's doing some maintenance on mine, thus I'm driving Nichole. Yes, that's the name he has bestowed on his 2000 Sebring. It's Nikki when "she's" acting bad. This is the first new car he ever owned so he has always pampered it. There's rubber mats on the floors (the carpet underneath is immaculate) and a high shine wax job on it. I always like being able to drive it. It's fun, fast, has a sun roof and a nice stereo.

BUT..and that's a big but, I am terrified something will happen to it on my dime. I double-check the mirrors when changing lanes and when I park I get out and walk around it to make sure there's plenty of room on all sides. Today I looked twice. I just can here hubby's voice in my head, watch out when you park, be gentle on the car handles, don't slam the door too hard, and don't pull up too far in the parking spot, esp. if there are curb stops, you could rip the nose right off.

Oye! Talk about car guilt!

Shut Yo' Mouth!

I know it sucks to be sick. I have been there and done it a lot. In fact the past few days I have been fighting a bug off myself. But what is with all the people who are hacking all around me who don't feel they need to cover their mouth when they cough? And you know if all you do is hack all day, why don't you just stay home because I am tired of hearing it.

Just throwing my two cents in...but I think it makes sense.

Funniest Tennis Story, Ever?

This story cracked me up. Any story that refers to a stalker as a "crazy-ass stalker (CAS)" and Anna Kournikova as Tennis Barbie has my vote. You can read the story by clicking below.
Kournikova Stalker Ordered to Stay Away

NakeDan the Handyman?

I got a press release today from NakeDan the Handyman, he also does Nude Notary. Here's some excerpts from the release...

Thought to be the first established business of its kind in the U.S., NakeDan is fulfilling an unmet need for above-board male nudity combined with quality repairs and flexible scheduling. Serving Florida’s west central coast with more than twenty years of experience, NakeDan is NOT an escort or exotic service and allows no physical contact or other activities to occur. Dan requires that clients sign a "hold harmless" agreement prior to beginning work and before undressing to whatever degree the client requests.

So click on the web site and see Dan... it's worth it!


NakeDan the Handyman

52 Years and Counting

Today hubby took some watch links out for an older woman. Her husband and her were so wonderful. Not only were they happy that someone took the time to do something like that for them but as a couple they were awesome. He said they had been married 52 years and counting and that it's not like today where people get married and then stopped just because it got a little uncomfortable. she said in their time when you got married it meant you were in it for the long haul and that you knew you would have to work through things.

He also gave hubby some good advice, you know she's the one in charge, I learned that a long time ago. :-)

Just wanted to share my little story. It made me feel good to know there are people out there sticking it out together and who are still giggly and lovey-dovey. I hope one day that's me and my hubby.

Please, step away from the chocolate!

Mmm...chocolate!

What not to watch when you are watching your diet? FoodTv's Chocolate Obsession weekend for Valentines Day. All day all they are talking about is chocolate, how to make yummy things, where to buy them, etc.

It's torture almost. Mostly it makes me want to go to the store and buy a big chocolate cake or brownies...oye, why do I keep watching, because I can't turn away!

Low Riding Pants A Crime?

Virginia just passed a law making it illegal to show your underpants in a "lewd or indecent manner."

Ok, so now the police in Virginia are the fashion police too? While I don't think it is appropriate to have your underwear sticking out for the world to see and it doesn't show a lot of respect for yourself, I don't think it needs to be legislated. Read the story below.

Yahoo! News - Va. Bill Sets Fine for Low-Riding Pants

What the .Ogg??

Ok, so I'm on Dave Simanoff's web site (see link at left) and tried this quizz. It says I'm an .ogg?? Too weird to hang out with?

http://www.bbspot.com/Images/News_Features/2004/10/file_extensions/ogg.jpg">
Which File Extension are You?

I LOVE Hallmark!

Addicted to Hallmark?

Ok, so did you ever think someone could have an addiction to a store like Hallmark? It's not too far fetched, really. They have wonderful things besides cards and stationary. Like cute stuffed animals, lovely photo albums, decorations, candles...Oye, on and on. I became a Gold Crown member last summer and have been buying all my greeting cards there pretty much because you earn points which in turn they give you a check, to of course spend more money at Hallmark. I also have become more enamored with greeting cards it seems. I love the hunt, looking for that perfect card. I love how they feel, I like to better cards with the heavier stock and how it feels in my hands. And I love that it's not e-mail..that it's reaching out to someone in a real way that they will touch and that they can easily save, tucked in a book or a drawer for years to come.

Hallmark has really done some ingenious promos to get ya buying more. Buy 1 get one, buy 3 get 100 extra bonus points, buy 3 and get a cute gift for a discount...it's a viscous cycle. Tonight I bought 3 cards and got my greeting card file for all of $6.95. I love it too. Something so old fashioned about it all. A longing for the time when people sat down and wrote to others more frequently.

So is it possible to be addicted to Hallmark? I guess so. I went to one of the larger Hallmark's in Pinellas county tonight and I was excited about it. So many things to look at, so many cards to read. I'm a Hallmark addict and I admit it. But there could be worse things to be addicted to than greeting cards and cute homey things...and it's not really a problem for me...I'll be just fine.

Washed that Gray Right Out of My Hair...

I gave in.

After looking at the little gray hairs, and the longer ones too taking up rent on my head and getting an e-mail from my Aunt Pat telling me that I was doomed to a life of gray hairs because not only did my mom gray early so did she, I colored my hair. Dark blond. It was nice to get up this morning and not to see those little hairs staring back at me. The spring was back in my step and all is a little better in my world.

Mr. President...

President Bush is across the river from my work right now. There is expected to be massive backups around the downtown river for the rest of the afternoon because of street closures. Ack..

"Taters" Anyone?

Ok, so this is truly one of the funniest stories I've read in a long time. It was so tongue-in-cheek. Take a minute to read it, it's worth it.

Archives: St. Petersburg Times

A Lifetime Achievement Award?

So is this the end for Leonardo DiCaprio? You would think so. He received a life time achievement award from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. How does some one who is 30 get a lifetime achievement award? Just something that made me go hmmm today. Either that or the other real actors/actresses were busy that day and couldn't come to accept it.

Lifetime Achievement Award For Leonardo DiCaprio

Gray by 35, It Could Happen

It seems that my hair has decided it should be gray. Every day I get up and there seems to be another one staring back at me from the mirror. I don't know where they are coming from. I don't know why they are picking on me so. I'm only 30.

I wanted to stop coloring my hair. It's a pain and costly. But I don't think I can wait. I just can't let them win. Right now it's single strands. But soon, they will get lonely and more will move in, and soon, it'll be a whole neighborhood scaring away what's left of the blond and brown hairs.

Why was there no good hair color on sale this week? I can hear the blond hairs calling out to me...save us, before we go extinct!

Where's My Sleep, I Seem to Have Lost It!

Ok, it's officially 1:06 a.m. and I can't for the life of me sleep. And it sucks. I don't know how else to put it, it just sucks. I know I have shirked my blogging duties so I thought I would share that I am royally pissed that I can't sleep right now. Because in a few short hours I have to get up and work like every other friggin day. My body is exhausted but my mind won't shut the #(@! up. Pardon the bad symbols.

Argh!

I guess I'll go try the sleep thing again....really it's not overrated like some say, I actually like it, a lot.

I'll try to write more often...I know there's lots of stuff out there to make fun of including this I found from the New York Times earlier this week:

"By the mid-1960s, many obstetricians even believed that alcohol
could halt premature labor. As noted by Golden, now a medical historian at Rutgers University in Camden, N.J., when women arrived at the hospital in premature labor, they were often handed a vodka and orange juice or given alcohol intravenously."

Man, women these days are missing out. They were officially allowed to get drunk in the hospital back then. Imagine your doctor asking, "would you like that screwdriver on the rocks or straight up? Just a little thought, and at 1:14 a.m., you start to think about things like that in a different light than at normal people hours. (Ok, Laura, I know this is still early for you, but for me, this is LATE. And no Laura, I'm not an old fart!)

Night, I hope...

Another Reason to Miss Calvin...

Classic Calvin

Calvin and Hobbes was always a favorite cartoon of mine. I was reminded today when my Mom sent along some classic snowman-related cartoons to be via e-mail. Something about those strips that I love(d), the silliness, creativity, Calvin and his best friend (a stuffed tiger) having some great adventure.

Bill Watterson, if you're reading this, you were awesome. At least I'll have my books to take a look through whenever I get to missing my buddies Calvin and Hobbes.

Alton Brown and Sarah Says..

AB and Me!

Yesterday I was very lucky to attend a photo shoot at work where one of my favorite TV personalities was, Alton Brown. He's from the Food Network's Good Eats. He describes himself as a teacher more than a chef and that's OK with me because he's taught me a ton about cooking. When I get some extra coin I'm really tempted to buy his books I Just Here for the Food and I'm Just Here for More Food.

From what the food editor says he was very gracious and was a talker during the interview.

Once again you never know who'll you'll meet when you work at newspaper.

They've Got Male!

Congratulations to friends Dawn and Jarrad on the birth of their new son Joshua Robert who was born last Monday at 8 pounds 2 ounces. We are excited for you and can't wait to meet him!

An Desert Experience

Last night my Mom took me, hubby and Grandma out to the Olive Garden for dinner. It was a lovely evening. Pleasant food, good company and free desert.

Our lovely waitress, really she was very kind and apologetic, dropped an arm-full of dishes she had just taken away from the table behind us right behind my chair. I was lucky. Only a few spots of marinara sauce came spattering up on the back of my nice work blouse. The manager offered to pay for my shirt to be cleaned (she would have gotten off cheaper) but I declined. I really don't dry clean my clothing and the shirt was a lovely shirt from Targeyy (Target). I said I would clean it at home. So she offered free desert to all of us.

Chocolate lasagna and a chocolate mousse pie was our choices. The mousse pie was heavenly. Like a chocolate cloud.

After that people were joking that I would be tripping the waitress all the time to get the free desert.

Trumpa Bay?

The Donald announced yesterday that he would be building a 52-story condo tower in downtown Tampa. Trump Tower Tampa will have units starting at $700,000 all the way up to more than $6 million. Around these parts we are wondering who the heck will be moving into these posh digs? And why the heck did he choose Tampa? Has he ever spent more than a few hours in this town? Sure there's rich people, but why would they choose to live in a dead downtown rather than on real water (sorry the Hillsborough River in downtown doesn't qualify in my book) such as the Bay or the Gulf? And what the heck is there for people to do in the evenings?

Trump, I don't know about this venture. I almost want to tell you, "You're fired!"

Favorite Store Name at the Flea Market.

I wish I had my camera with me today. A new booth at the flea market had a great name. He sells antiques.

He decided to call his store:

"Dead Peoples Junk"

Christmas Ornaments Tell Stories

In remembrance of Tiger messing with the tree.

In remembrance of our first house.

Christmas trees are like scrapbooks. They tell a story. This is especially true in my family. While some families prefer monochromatic colors and a big box of same-looking balls, mine gives and receives than at Christmas regularly. Each one individual to the recipient(s) and each one with a story. Above are two of the ornaments we received this year. The top one I gave hubby. He spent a lot of time yelling at the cat trying to make him understand that he couldn't be playing with the ornaments and knocking them down. The second one my parents gave us in honor of owning our first house together this year. It's a cool one, you place a Christmas tree light bulb in the back and so when the lights go on, the windows and door light up looking like someone is home.

Others received include a calico engine of a train from my Grandmother (my Grandfather was a railroad engineer and this will remind me of him) and white beaded stars that my sister and my grandmother handmade for us. They are really cool.

I took them off the tree last night, I had hoped hubby would have taken the tree down today but it's still there, and enjoyed looking at them and remembering the stories. This is something I want to be able to do one day with my children if we are blessed with them. Pass on the stories and help make new ones.

When Are Your Officially Grown Up?

There's a very interesting article in the Wall Street Journal today. It talks about America's youth have been experiencing an extended childhood, with many American's believing adulthood really begins at 26 and not 18. Children are living longer and longer at home, relying more and more on their parents for not only advice but financial help and direction in their lives.
I thought this was all very interesting. I know many people , including myself who, found themselves at home after college. I don't know if it's the coddling effect mentioned in the story, but it is the expense. But to be honest, I think it's just that many people my age have become accustomed to a certain lifestyle and they don't want to suffer without since their parents never showed them that they had to. Ok Gen X and and millenials, it's time to grow up. Our parents did it, why the hell can't we?

Here's an excerpt:

Students from high-pressured, upscale households are more sheltered today than even five years ago, says Lisa Jacobson, founder of inspiring, a New York-based tutoring and test-preparation firm. Parents have been micromanaging these kids lives for so long that the kids often are unable to cope with disappointments and rejections. Parents have to let children develop life skills.

Ground them in reality: Young adults today often expect to have a lifestyle that equals the way their parents are living in middle age. "They should know that to get from A to Z, you've got to go through all the letters in the alphabet," Ms. Shaffer says.

Happy New Year From Jacksonville!

Happy New Year everyone! Hubby and I are spending a long weekend with sisters and their significant others and bro-in-law's brother and sig. other. We have a had a great time. There has been lots of food, drink and James Bond (I'll have to explain that one later.) The weather has been awesome, in the low 70's in the day and low 50's at night.

Hopefully your New Year has started as well as it has for us.

Happy New Years!

A-Glowing Time

Flowers and Trees Aglow

Lights, Camera, Action!

Went to the Largo Botanical Gardens tonight with hubby, parents and grandma. What a lovely evening. Wonderful weather, about 60 and great company. The gardens were lit up and we got to see wonderful gardens. Mom and me spotted a Christmas Ornament Tree that was fantastic, I need to find out about that tree!

Off to pack now. We are going to Jacksonville to visit the sisters and bro-in-law and future bro-in-law for New Year festivities.

P.S.

Happy birthday Paul. We will be thinking about you tomorrow on what would have been your 34th birthday. We miss you.

Gross Item of the Day

From MSNBC.com:

Former “Dallas” star Larry Hagman, who stipulated that upon his death, he wants his body ground in a woodchipper and scattered in a field, where wheat is to be harvested for a cake to be eaten by his friends and family one year later.


So ok, EW!

Happy Birthday to You Two!

This Says it All!

I want to extend warm wishes to my friend Aaron and his twin sister Amy on their 30th birthday. Now Aaron, how does it feel to be 30? Just the same as 29 actually eh? Have a great day and we'll see you tonight for your favorite dinner, chicken wings!

Quote of the Day

"It's the Whitman's box of chocolates religion. You can pick the parts you like."

Dave Simanoff referring to Unitarian Church

Mother Nature Helped Take Our Lights Down 

Not a Silent Night

We had some wild winter weather here in Florida late last night. A cold front pushed through the area bringing 40-50 mph winds. We lost half our Christmas lights and I found one of my bows two doors down. From what the TV says there is coastal flooding, power outages and lots of debris on the ground.

Hubby woke me up about 4 telling me what was happening and turning on the TV trying to find out if anyone was talking about it. Our weather radio was chirping warning of the high winds but we wanted more. You could hear the wind howling, it was very reminiscent of this years storms. All in all we came out OK.

Just not a Silent Night here in Florida.

Remembering Home..

Merry Christmas !

This past week has been awesome for me. I have time to regenerate the batteries, spend quality time with my husband, parents, sister and new fiance, grandmother and old friends. Spent a lot of time reminiscing about the past and Christmases gone by. I was struck last night at midnight mass by our pastors homily. How he talked of home and the importance of it with Christmas and the memories associated with it. But that Christmas isn't just a time of the year, but a feeling, a lifestyle to keep throughout the year. In the Catholic Church we talk of coming home not just to a physical place such as the building, but to your faith and that this is a place to find home at anytime. Often at these important feast days I am transported and think of the the millions of Catholics around the world who at any hour of this day, somewhere on the this planet there was Christmas mass being said and that for about 2000 years this tradition has happened. Yes the incense almost gave me an asthma attack this year, but it is a tradition I wouldn't want to lose.

I was thinking about family last night. And after opening the gifts from my family last night around the tree I was thinking about what struck me the most. It was two things. First it was the three generations of us sitting in the same room that we have been since 1979 and how comforting it was. And second the connection to my grandparents I now have. My favorite gift was a box of Christmas tree ornaments from my Grandmother. I never got to meet my Grandfather, he died the spring before I was born. But I have a locomotive train ornament that will always remind me of his presence and one that is brightly colored with beads that will remind me of grandma. It connects us through the generations and hopefully one day I will be able to share this connection with my children.

Ok, I got a little long a mushy, heck it's Christmas, it's the mushiest time of the year! I am wishing everyone a blessed Christmas today in hopes that everyone has a piece of home in their hearts. Merry Christmas.

Happy Winter Solstice!

Today is the first day of winter which is the shortest day of the year (day with sunlight that is). It felt like winter here in the sunshine state too. It was down in the upper 30's last night but we were lucky, it didn't freeze!

I am enjoying my vacation. We went shopping yesterday and got a large amount of it done. A little more left only. I am pleased.

I am over at my parents house right now. Mom and me have been baking cookies like nuts. First cut out butter cookies, then brownie cookies and then soft sugar cookies (a family favorite). And then it was on to making the Chex party mix which is finishing up in the oven right now. So it smells of cookies and Tobasco sauce in here right now.

Oohhh.. and Aaron remember, it's ONE week till the BIG 3-0! Just in case you thought I forgot...I didn't. :-)

So You Think You Can Sell Jewelry?

An open letter to anyone buying jewelry this holiday season...

You know, everyone thinks is very easy to sell retail. Especially jewelry. Everyone is an expert. They have searched the net and they think they know exactly the price they should get for it. An education is good, but why is everyone so defensive? Why can't I say hello to a potential customer without them ignoring you? Or worse? Being defensive and telling you I'm just looking. What happened to just hello back? Or how are you? I'm just letting you know I acknowledge you.

And when you are getting a fare deal why do you feel the need to push harder and harder to get a lower price? You know we aren't trying to make a buck off you, but an honest living, there is a real difference. Why is it wrong for a business to profit? We cannot be Wal-Mart and drop prices everyday.

And why do you have to waste my time asking for price after price if you aren't gonna buy it today? What's the point? It probably won't be there when you come back. Especially after mentioning how much you like it, the price is right and you are pleased with it and still you need to think about it?

Oh, and yes, the price of gold has gone up about $100 since July so yes the price of jewelry is going up to so your friend whose the jeweler can't sell you jewelry for $10 a gram, he can't buy 14k for that from a wholesaler.

Finally, cash means cash, you know dollar bills with dead presidents on them and not a credit card or debit card. They are not cash. When we give you a break for cash it's because 3 percent of the total is going to a credit card company and it's not to us. Yes really. So we would lose more money if we didn't charge you a little more. For a small business 3 percent is huge!

Thanks for listening. Your neighborhood jewelry store.

P.S.
Yes all of our stuff is real gold, if it's locked up in display cases and not on top, chances are it is.

P.S.S.

Thanks Dad for the festive music and graphic!

Oh The Weather Outside Was Frightful...

Ok, so it was cold the past two days. And I do mean COLD. We had to turn the heat on cold. We were lucky in Pinellas because the water on three sides kept us from freezing, but most of central Florida saw a freeze. We are being told there is another big front on the way on for Sunday.

Okay, I do like that I can wear different clothing..but I don't like it being uncomfortable and cold. That's why I like living in Florida. But the good part? While yesterday only made it in the low 50's, today will in the 60's and tomorrow in the 70s. And the sun is shining. So I don't have that much a reason to complain.

On the sweeter side of things. I baked the first cookies in the house. First chocolate chip walnut and then spritz cookies using a cookie press. So the house smells very sweet. And only a day and a 1/2 left of work before I'm off on a weeks vacation. How sweet it is!

Pimp My Drink!

Pimpin' With Juice

So hubby and I were out having dinner with friends Roy and Kimmie and we got to talking about things and up came Pimp Juice. And my curiosity got the better of me and I HAD to Google the sucker. And up came Pimp Juice, an energy drink marketed by rapper Nelly. Find the link here: http://www.letitloose.com/ supposedly it's a safer alternative to Red Bull. I dunno, all I DO know that it's funny. I'se gots to gets me some of that Pimp Juice!

Laptops Usage ='s No Kids?

Laptops users beware! Check out the article below. And be forewarned, it's pretty funny!

Laptop Usage Can Lead to Low Sperm Count and Infertility

I'm Dreaming of a Blue?? Christmas...

Lights!

Ok, so we weren't gonna do it...
We weren't gonna be at Wal-Mart on Friday at 9 p.m. buying Christmas lights. We weren't gonna put lights up. Just a wreath, some bows I made and that's it. But it happened. Hubby decided he had to keep up with the neighbors. We happen to have moved to an unusually festive street and he didn't want to be left out. So there we were, along with many others, in the light aisle deciding what color, what kind, twinkling or not..oye! The choices! So in our debut on the block we went with twinkling blue icle lights, red and gold bows and blue lights in our lamps. Very classy if I do say so myself. It's hard to see the lovely lights in the photos. But they are there. And no the big black smudge on the house usually isn't there, but I thought I'd block out the house numbers since I don't need the whole word were to find me. But if you are flying over Pinellas County, Florida you probably could see our street from the air...it seems to be glowing and now we are too.

I'm finally really starting to feel Christmasey.

Happy Birrrthhdaayy Tooo Youu!

A VERY happy birthday to my younger sister Laura! She turns the BIG 28 today. And you know Laura that means you are now closer to 30 than 25! Even though she's getting old, she still acts young. Have a great day!

And a happy birthday to my Uncle Tony in Ft. Wayne! We won't mention his age...but he still acts young too. Hopefully your birthday is wonderful!

Word of the Year: Blog!

I had heard that Merriam Webster had said that the word BLOG was the most commonly looked up on its dictionary site in 2004. So we here at Sarah Says are hip and new. Well, maybe my blog is, I'm not too hip, cool or new. You can read the article below.
InfoWorld TechWatch: Word of The Year: Blog

No Book for Me

I am unhappy to report that I didn't finish a 50,000 word novel in November. I should have thought harded about taking this project on since I am so busy this year. I came up really short. I only wrote about 18,000 words. Hey, that's still about 23 pages, single spaced! I am pleased that I tried though and am pretty sure I will be trying next year.

Now it's on to the holidays. I feel so behind, 1/2 my street has their holiday lights up and I JUST took down my Thanksgiving turkeys last night. On the plus side I am more than 1/2 way done with my christmas cards, the first batch went out in the mail TODAY. But I still have to find time to buy some Christmas gifts...when that will be, I don't know.

You Had WHAT Gold-Plated?

Um OK, Ewww!!!!

Yahoo! News - You Had WHAT Gold-Plated?

So Many Blessings..

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. I am blessed in my life in so many ways and I have many things to be thankful for...here's some of them.

1. A great husband.
2. A great family.
3. I have a nice place to live and food on my plate (and today too much probably.)
4. Many awesome friends.
5. I have a job and many good friends I met because of it.
6. I am healthy.
and today a new one I didn't have yesterday...
7. A new brother.

A big congratulations to my sister Karen and her NEW fiance Joe. He popped the question last night and of course she said YES. We very excited for them and are looking forward to a visit from them at Christmas time.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

These People Have WAYYY Too Much Time on Their Hands..

I don't have to say much about this, the article speaks for itself.

Yahoo! News - SpongeBob Kidnappers Seek Ransom for Doll

Aaron! This Post is For You!

Seems my lack of blogging has caused a slight fervor, OK, very slight, one person.

So Aaron, on my honor I promise to blog more often. And it shall be funny and contain more photos. And if you missed this one, like the one before it...I don't know how more plain it could be and what I have to do to get your attention.

And everyone else, I think I'll be back to my normal weird postings shortly. I feeling lots of typin' coming on.

My It's Almost Thanksgiving

I can't believe it. THIS Thursday is Thanksgiving. Time is really flying in my world. I have been really doing a lot of deep thinking lately. About life, the universe and everything (and I don't mean the book, which is great by the way). I think that's what has been keeping me from posting too much lately, well besides working 7 days a week. Usually I examine my life through this blog and mostly I've been doing it in my head and I can't figure how to put things down. I think this is also keeping me from being more attentive to my book I'm supposed to be writing. I just can't seem to put things down on paper.

If I don't get the chance to say it, I hope everyones Thanksgiving is very happy and full of yummy food. We sometimes forget all the good things in our lives that we should be thankful for. I am learning that I need to recognize those things more often so I don't get down on my life.

So Happy Thankgiving friends.

Helllooo!!!

Man I am so behind in the blogging department! I see things and think, man that would be great on my blog! And then I just don't get to it. I know, I am so lazy.

I also have been participating in the National Writers Month whose motto is quantity and not quality. You sign up and try to write 50,000 words in 1 month. I don't think I am going to make it. But what is good is that it gets you in the habit of writing. My untitled story is just under 13,000 words (about 21 pages long). You really get some new founded respect for novel writers.

We have celebrated my Mom's birthday and just had the pleasure to visit with old friends from Lond Island. Plus I was privaleged to go to a good friends baby shower. She's having a boy.

I promise to try not to neglect my blogging duties. I also have some photos to share soon. But back to work. Lots to do!

Too Greasy!

I have been only buying and eating baked potato chips, pretzels and my newest fav. Cheetos for a while now. So when I opened a snack size of regular Lays chips I had visions of wonderful fried goodness floating thought my head. I was almost fantasizing about them. But the reality is, I don't think I really like them anymore. They are too greasy, and that's what the main flavor is, the taste of lard. Ew! It's amazing. I never thought I'd not like potato chips. Now if I can only learn how to prefer broccoli the cheese, I'll be set.

One More Thing!

Man I am SOOOO behind in the posts aren't I?

I would be remiss if I didn't wish my Dad a happy belated birthday! We had a great dinner last night and are looking forward to whopping it up for Mom's big day on FRIDAY.

Touching and SOOOO Romantic!

The Wedding

Once I finished Edward Beck's book, I was off and running with this one. I finished The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks last night. As usual Sparks offers an easy read that is touching and so romantic.
Sparks takes us back into the lives of Noah Calhoun and his family that he wrote about in his successful book The Notebook. This time we are focusing on his son-in-law Wilson and his wife Jane and their problems.
Wilson's problem climaxes when he forgets his 29th wedding anniversary. There have been many blunders along the way because he worked too much and forgot that he couldn't just take Jane for granted. The book centers around the next year where he has resolved to himself to make himself a better husband. The events are centered around their oldest daughter Anna's wedding which is set to take the same day as their anniversary.
It is a heartfelt book that has some good lessons. You can't forget that once you are married that you have to still work at a good relationship and that suprises are good.

Not sure what's on the plate next. But I'm sure something will catch my eye on my bookshelf.

An Unconventional Look...

God Underneath

I've been busy reading. I finished God Underneath: Spiritual Memoirs of a Catholic Priest by Edward L. Beck mid-last week. I was given this book by a friend at work and I am glad I read it (well, Mom did read it first and she approved so I went ahead with it.)
Edward Beck is a Passionist Roman Catholic priest. What that means is he is in a religious order dedicated to teaching that Jesus suffered, was crucified and died for the sins of the world. And out of that flows their work with the sick and those whose lives are filled with pain. He also is a retreat leader that travels the country.
An interesting part of this book is he talked about how he came to be a priest. He didn't set out thinking that's what he was going to spend his lives work doing. He started out as a stockbroker in training on Wall Street. He wasn't suddenly struck by God and immediately changed path. It was a shift.
Beck also takes you through what it is like to be celibate. And yes, he does get lonely. He says not for sex, but for the intimate relationship in a romantic relationship.
He takes moments in his life that made a difference to him or others and relates it back to God. And there was nothing pretentious (except for a few of his word choices) or condescending about any of it.
He also wrestles with the churches stance on homosexuality. He wonders if Jesus were here if he wouldn't be reaching out to them because in our society they are being seen was the lepers of his time. That we should not condemn, but love. I kinda liked that.
He also takes issue with women not being able to be priests. He sees that one day the church will have to change for its priesthood to survive and to serve its people.
There are many other great stories... I was impressed with Beck as an author. I think I will be looking at getting his new book Unlikely Ways Home.

All Souls Remembered Today

Today All Souls Day is celebrated in the Catholic Church. This is the day set aside for remembering all those who have gone before us. My pastor Fr. John reminded me that it is truly a family day. It is a day to talk about and remember our family members who have died and how lucky we are to have been given time to spend with them. So while today is election day and we are looking forward to the future of our nation and communities, this is a day to look back and remember. For those people who have died left an imprint on us and have helped us to become who we are today and on to tomorrow.

Make Your Voice Heard, Vote!

We're Ready, Are You?

I saw this photo illustration and thought it was pretty funny. And yes I know it's wrong, Elmo and Cookie Monster would NOT be on a Fisher-Price toy. But it still is funny.

We are expecting a heavy turnout tomorrow at the polls here in Florida and I think it's very exciting. All these years we have complained that no one cared and voted and now there are all these people complaining that they have to wait to vote. Get it right people, it's one way or the other! There are people all over the world have to walk many miles just to get to a place to vote and then wait for hours in difficult situations. And there are many who don't even have the option TO vote.

So I for one am happy so many people seem interested in politics and plan to vote. Since I am not political at this site I won't say who I like, but I will say that I am proud to be American and feel very lucky to have the freedoms we do. I'm exercising the right so many died for to give me and I hope you do too.