It's Beginning to Look a lot like !Christmas!!?

When I came back from lunch Monday afternoon I noticed they were putting Christmas wreaths on the building where I work. Not that they weren't lovely - they actually were. But I'm just not ready for it yet. I can't think Christmas until the turkey and pumpkin pie have passed my lips. I just can't. It seems wrong. But every year it seems people are decking the halls earlier and earlier. It's not that I don't love the holidays, I do. I love all that stuff that comes with it too. But I don't need it for 2 straight months. I think it takes some of the specialness (is that a word?) out of the holidays. Holidays are special because it's different from the norm. Soon decorations and carols will be the norm. I just don't get it. I know what it all is coming down to is the almighty dollar that the merchants are trying to make. And that's just sad in my mind.

Any ways...I'm just getting used to the idea that Thanksgiving is this coming week. I'm not ready for Christmas.

Chicken Soup For My Hubby's Soul

So I made homemade chicken soup tonight for dinner, for the first time. OK, so I used store bought chicken stock, but hey - who has time to make homemade chicken stock on a work night?

I have to say I am very proud of myself. It was darn good. And how do I know? My husband, the soup connissour, said it was great. Coming from a man who grew up with soup all the time that was a huge compliment. And what was really cool is that when he came home he was kinda down in the dumps and grumpy and by dinners end - he was smiling.

I think there is more soup making in my future.

Happy Birthday to Youuuu!!!

Happy Birthday to yoouuu!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday dear Dad.
Happy Birthday to youuu!!

Tuesday is my Dad's birthday and I wanted to be the first to wish him the best. Looking forward to a nice dinner tomorrow night and lots of fun this weekend.

Love,
Sarah

Thank goodness it's Friday

I am really ready for the weekend this week. It's been really busy at work, I haven't felt great, I have a swollen foot and just mentally I am ready to chill.

I am also so glad that the election is almost here. I hate to watch any of the networks because you get bombarded with political ads. And since I read in the paper that the Tampa Bay area is the TV market (in the ENTIRE country that is!) with the most political ads running I know I am not crazy. Well mostly not.

Anyways, I am happy it's Friday.

I'mmm Baaacckk!

Well kinda. I can get here, but I can't seem to get photos to get on here. Keeps locking up. Oye. Well, one thing at a time. At least I can post now. I have a series of photos that I wanna get up...I'll get there. I think.

Made it back from Vegas - the Disney World for adults. See, just like Disney, Vegas is ALL fake. I mean it was kinda cool, but it wasn't my favorite part. For me it was the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park. Awesome! That's the only word I can use that give the experience justice. And I now know I like to hike! Now I wanna go see more lovely places in this country. The Travel channel just keeps my mind turning.

Congrats out to Heather and Corey who were married a few Saturdays back. Congrats kids! We are so happy for you.

And happy belated anniversary to Dave and Britt - I miss you guys but am happy for you.

And Aaron? I'm so happy you are...You deserve only the best.

Well, my foot is throbbing from the heavy box I dropped on it this afternoon so I'm off to find more Advil.
Till later..

Welcome to Vegas?

So my welcome to Vegas wasn't the best. 45 minutes sitting on the tarmack waiting to get a gate at the airport (boy did I have to pee!), luggage that took forever to get (and they kept changing the location it was supposed to come from), obnoxiously loud commercials blaring from large TV's, someone puked at the rent-a-car place, and it was about 4 a.m. (my time) before I slept.
But today's a new day and I got to see Mt. Charleston (pictured from a stock photo I found) in it's full glory. Spectacular! That's the best word I can think of to describe it. And the best part? The leaves were changing colors! (I'll have great photos later!) We did a short hike - whew! - climbing mountains is NOT easy. And I got to see joshua trees...how cool is that? Anyways, tonight we are having dinner with our host Mike and his friend Kim somewhere on the strip in the heart of Vegas. Oh, and the humidity this afternoon? 8%! So it's 95, but the feels like temperature is less.
Well, that's all for now...off to my next adventure.
Oh and Aaron, the faces weren't at this mountain either!

For Everything there is a Season

For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast
away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can't find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.

This is one of my favorite passages from the bible. I've been thinking more and
more about it lately. There are so many things happening in my life right now and I do see the purpose, sometimes. And sometimes I can't see far enough to let myself see it, I'm stuck in the why. I know there is a time to die, my Grandmother is coming towards the end of her life. I know that it is her time, she's lived a great life. But understanding this and knowing I probably will never see her alive again is painful. She's been such a part of my families lives. And my brothers death, it was his time according to God, but in my heart I can't understand it nor excepted it.

This coming week is my husband and I our time to heal. He moved away last year for a time, and our trip out west is a reconfirmation of our relationship. It's the honeymoon we never had.

So with every season, it's Fall now, and the seasons of our lives we experience changes. So for a change I'm going on vacation, across the country.

Peace.

Contemplating my Navel

My Mom used to say that, when you would ask her what she was thinking about or if she asked you what you were thinking about "contemplating my/your navel" would pop up. And that's where I'm at today. Contemplating my navel...well, not really, more like contemplating my life.

Things are on the upswing. I have a nice job with upward movement possibilities. I'm going on not one but TWO nice trips in less than five months (Vegas and my first cruise), my husband is around a lot more often and we agree we are ready to put our house in order (yes, I know it's been more than 2 years) and we have a new computer, a front yard I'm pleased with, a brand-spanking new digital camera (photos to come soon) and great family and some awesome friends. I should say I am blessed abundantly.

But when contemplating your navel the negatives always do surface. Such as weight issues, skyrocketing insurance, one car sans air conditioning, I miss my brother and that I'm almost 32 and am still not a Mom.

And today I contemplate the sadness of the loss our country endured 5 years ago and the anxiety that it could happen again as I ready to board a plane tomorrow evening.

So I continue to contemplate my navel and give thanks for all that I do have and consider what I need to do to right the others and I pray for our nation and those directly affected by the 9/11 tragedies.

The Computer Doctor was Here..

So my computer needed help. A LOT of help. It finally just up and ran out of space. So we sent it to the computer doctor and came back with one that my Dad says is actually from this century. Thanks to Pop, Laszlo and I can actually put programs on our computer rather than taking them off just so we can have a computer that functions. Woo hoo! And soon we hope to be adding something new to our family, a brand new digital camera so I can add more photos to this space again. Fabulous.

Plus we want to have a nice camera to take on vacation. The hubby and I are taking a week and going out to Vegas. We plan to see the Grand Canyon and other natural wonders out there. Can't wait. It'll be our first real vacation since we got married more than 5 years ago. So it's kinda like a delayed honeymoon of sorts.

Now that I have a computer I actually want to use, I'm hoping to use this place again. I do miss it. I always see things that I say, man that would be funny, I should blog about it. Well, I have no excuses now..

See ya on the net.

Sorrow...

I want express my sympathies to my friend Dave and his family. Dave's younger brother Michael died very unexpectedly last week. From someone who can understand losing a brother I am so sorry for your loss. Siblings aren't supposed to die when they are in the prime of their life. They are supposed to be there when you bury your parents. You are not supposed to be visiting them at the cemetary.

My condolences Dave, may your brother rest in peace.

Ahh the Smell of Vacation

So the Mr. and I went on a little summer trip to Jacksonville to visit with my sisters and brother's-in-laws. As you can see above we spent some time at the shore fishing. How do you know you are in Jacksonville fishing? Well - besides all the Rednecks surrounding you. Check out the ship that made it's way by us..


Oh yeah - and behind it is one of the naval bases - the USS JFK was the boat sticking out to the right of the ship.

We also took a day trip to the very warm and humid Savannah. We had a blast. We took a bus tour - I highly recommend this if you don't have lots of time there or have never been there. You get the lay of the land plus a nice tour. Here's Laszlo and Laura enjoying the tour and enjoying not walking since it was the end of the day.

But, if you really want to see what Laura looks like after walking around in 90 + degree weather - you have to check out the next picture..There she is just taking a load off.

Next time we go to Savannah - I hope it's slightly cooler. If not you look like Greg and Laszlo, sitting on a bench at the end of the day fanning themselves....As pictured below. But we had a great time. If you want to see more funny pictures please visit Laura and Greg's blog by clicking to your left - The KC's have a funny entry. Well - still more vacation time to go. It always goes way too fast. But I am enjoying it!

2+4=6!

So everyone meet my cousin AJ, his wife Catrina and their six kids - twins Keegan and Brice (the bookends) and Elizabeth, Grace, Connor and Dylan. Their story ran on the Early Show on CBS Wednesday night. You can see the story here: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/26/earlyshow/main1836652.shtml

Catrina had twins less than two years ago and the quads came along this past June. I am sure they are busy - but they are very blessed.

My thoughts and prayers are with them.

You know it's Summer when...

When watching the grill is preferred to watching the TV. My wonderful hubby was out grilling chicken tonight and I saw this and had to snap a photo. He's had a long day working hard so he deserved to sit in front of the grill. Can't wait to try the yummy food!

Oh Happy beleated Independence Day to all. I did the trifeta of Fourth fun. Cook out with good friends, watched the Devil Rays spank the Boston Red Sox (baseball) and fireworks at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg. Couldn't ask for a nicer day.

I Am Starting to Get It...Kinda

So I've decided that I wanted to upgrade what I'm wearing to work. To make it more apparent that I'm serious about my job and succeeding. I mean I didn't really feel before that clothes made a difference in the world of business. Man, I sure know I was wrong. When I put on a jacket, button it up and walk out the door I have noticed there's a different swagger in my step. I feel more confident. I'm hoping that will shine through to more areas of my job. I know it sounds very superficial this whole thing, but I'm finally starting to get the whole dress for success mantra. And heck, it's kinda fun - it's like a treasure hunt. How to dress for success on a serious budget but get some kicken' new clothes. I'm still talking about my $11 blazer that was $65 and by $100+ shoes for $30. Now I just gotta work in the haido. And if I could only figure what the heck Business Casual is....

I must be insane...

So what would posess a person to invite old friends to their house the first full week the co-worker I am helping cover during her maternity leave, for a potluck? I mean I have to clean my house...in the middle of the week and make lasagna and all I want to do is veg? Oye...I'm always opening my big mouth. Plus, we are killing parts of the lawn out front so we can create a path from the street to the house. And I WANT people to see that?

I must be crazy. I must be. There's no other explanation for it.

Gulp...I am crazy.

A Very Happy Belated Birthday Greg!

I am the WORST sister-in-law ever I think. I forgot to call my brother-in-law on his very special day - his 30th birthday. The day that I have been bugging him about for well - at least a year. And then I called his house 2 days after, he wasn't home, told sister I was going to call AND forgot. I forgot until I received an e-mail from him ragging on me because he missed my stunning rendition of Happy Birthday I'm sure I would have sung to him

So Greg, I am s0oooooooooooooooooooooooooo sorry. I am the WORST sister-in-law! I hope your birthday was spectacular and welcome to your 30's.
So I hope you will forgive and think about me everytime you do the World's Longest Suduko book we bought for you.

And without further adu:

Happy Birthday to YOUUUUUU!
Happy Birthday to YOOUUU!!!!!!
Happy Birthday GREGGGGGIIIEEE !

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOOO YOUUUU!!!!!

And many more!

Love,

Sarah and Laslzo

A Belated Happy Easter

I was blessed to be able to spend time with my family this Easter. Although my one sister was absent, she was in our thoughts of course, especially as my mom attacked the chocolate Saturday evening as Lent came to a close, we thought, Laura is so like mom.

One of the best things about Easter is that it is a seaon, just like Christmas and it isn't one day. I love going back to church the following Sunday and seeing lovely flowers and the jubilation continuing.

So Happy Easter everyone. For it's not confined to a day. Or even a season. It's a way of life.

Babies and all their stuff

So I went to Babies r' Us tonight for the first time. Who knew there was so much stuff associated with something so small? And from being at that store you would think that women couldn't survive with so many things for their children. Whew. And why are such tiny clothing so expensive?

I don't know. The whole place was kinda just surreal to me. Any who....Happy Friday!

A Haiku

My allergies are killing me this week. Thus this haiku was born:

"Little fuzzy bits.
Flying through the air I breath.
I hate you damn trees!"

Spring Has Sprung In Florida -- Aachoo!

So it's only the first week of March. I know the official beginning of spring is a little bit away, but here in Central Florida it'll full-on Spring. The weather is in the mid-70's, blue skies are overhead and EVERYTHING is blooming here. From the azaleas (which I wish I could have growing in my yard, but I know I don't have the right conditions), to the pollen hanging off the oak trees, to the impatience, Indian hawthorn shrubs to the snapdragons and amarylus. It's a lovely time to be outside. That is if you aren't bothered by the pollen. Down my street there are many oak trees so the streets are littered with the orange pollen and you can feel it in the back of your throat. But I guess it's the price to pay for living in paradise.

Memories, Just the Way We Were..

Sorry Babs, I had to borrow your lyrics. But it is appropriate. I was going through files of digital photos to send to be printed, yes I am really behind, and I had the best time. Reminiscing about some of the great times in the past few years. Here's a sampling..



Mmm! Chicken Paprikash! My hubby can cook!

Hey Amigo! We got robbed! Our chili was so the best. But heck, you look good in a sombrero!

There's pop with one of the Motter twins. He looks very natural. Hopefully one of those will be in our immediate families future.

Rows and rows of roses can't be bad. Lovely actually.

U-S-F! U-S-F!

Kathy's last days as a free woman. Yes, Kathy actually got married!

A peaceful evening on our block.

Alton Brown and I...soo cool!

Tiger the Cat digs the newspaper, laying on it that is.

I don't know why me and the sisters are laughing, but I'm sure it was good.

Skippy Simanoff, this Bud's for you!

Ahhh...a walk down memory lane is always fun..

Alas, Pray That Never Happens

So I finished Alas, Babylon the other night. I thought it was pretty terrifying on so many levels. Of course having every major city in the US blown to smithereens (including Tampa/St. Pete - where I live) is bad. But being cut off from the world, even a town a hour away, is scary. In our modern world this would even be more prevalent. Because we are used to having the news right now. I can turn on the TV or get on the Internet and get up on any topic. After "The Day" as it was known in the book, the town of Fort Repose, had to turn inwards and depend on and defend themselves. I think this book is so relevant today. In the early 60's no one thought bombs would actually drop. And who wants to believe that Iran or another country wouldn't start? Oh, and I love that the only member of the federal government that wasn't killed was a woman and that she became president. Great book.
Now I'm off to reading Teacher Man by Frank McCourt of Angela's Ashes fame. I think after this I will need something real easy and funny. Have to have those occasionally.

The Suite Life

Greetings from lovely Jacksonville, Florida! Tomorrow's is my sister's wedding and we are preparing. It's been really fun to see so many different family members. You come into the hotel's lobby and you just never know who you are going to run into.

And my parent's suite is HQ and the official greeting room. You get the good room and amentities are abundent. They are right across the hall from a lounge where the "high-rollers" get free coffee and cold drinks all day, warm appetizers at night and free breakfast while the rest of the guests have to schlep down to the restaurant and pay, and pay dearly for these things. And they keep the common folks out by requiring you to have a key for one of those rooms to even get to the floor. Living the high life is pretty fun.

The bride is calm, and tan. I guess she decided she was too white and with the white wedding dress on she would be blinding. Plus she's primed herself for going to Jamaica for a week. The groom is also calm, for now. :-)

Well, off to do more wedding stuff. Whatever that is supposed to be. But I'm sure they will find me something to do!

No one better?

Really briefly. This has been stuck in my craw since Friday night and I watched the opening ceremonies of the winter Olympics. Was there no other women of distinction from North America other than an actress? That Italy thought Susan Sarandon is the cream of the crop when it comes to North American women? I was appalled and still am. Among a Nobel prize winner, former Olympic champions and a champion of human right, Susan Sarandon? How very pathetic.

New Book

I'm kinda beginning to think it is ironic the book that I've started reading. It's Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank. It's about the survivors of a nuclear attack, at the main character is based in the central Florida area. I think this is ironic because of all the goings-on with Iran. This book was written in the early 60s so the mania of nuclear war with Russia was very real. I started reading it right before the big hubbub with Iran started, but now the book is really making me think. I don't want anyone to have nuclear weapons, especially an unstable country such as Iran. I'll let you know how I like the book. But I can tell you the relevance is frightening.

Oh Suduko, How I love Thee

I know the first road to recovery is to admit you have an addiction. So here goes.

Hi, my name is Sarah and I am addicted to Suduko.

Ok, I feel better. Now everyone knows that I have a compulsion to try each and every Suduko puzzle I see. I know most often I don't finish them, but sometimes I do. Today I finished my very first medium level puzzle. I was so psyched that I finished it I jumped up from my couch and did a little dance a joy. Ok, the little things excite me sometimes and this is one of them. If I could do them on a computer screen I might be tempted to work on the one above, but it would drive me insane.

The good news? I saw a news report that doing puzzles like Suduko are really good for your brain and inf fact may help in warding off Alzheimers. So it's game on! I know there's others out there...stand up and be proud to be Suduko addicts with me! (Dave I know your out there reading this and working on the puzzle above...:-)

It's February?

Man! Where does the time go? One day it's Jan. 1 and the next thing you know it's February 6! I have been busy. We are in full wedding mode in my family. Baby-sister Karen get's married in T-minus 11 days. We leave for Jacksonville next Thursday. We are very excited.

Work has kept me busy and I am still pleased with the move. It's great to have people around you wanting you to suceed! It's so different.

On the weight front, not so good. I so got sidetracked, phyically and mentally. But I'm back. I feel the difference when I'm not working out and eating like I should.

Got the chance to have dinner with my favorite Tribby, Skippy Simanoff. It was really nice to see him and I do realize how much I miss our lunch chats. And that we both have a love for Suduko.

I can't promise lots of posts here. But I want to get back. I do miss it. I see things and I think...that would be great on Sarah Says. Like why Layne Bryant is advertising that it carries size 12 in certain styles. Ok, if you were an average size 12, why the heck would you shop at Layne Bryant, the store for big chicks, when you can shop anywhere and find your size? HELLOO??

Ta ta for now!

Happy New Year!

I want to raise my glass to the year that is and soon will be was 2005. It was a year filled with joy, laughter, sadness and hope. I'm so lucky to have so many wonderful people surrounding me who helped me be the best person I could be and help me through the rough patches, and there were some doosies this year. There's a lot to look forward to in 2006 and I'm ready for it. I've even finally gotten the first new pair of eyeglasses in 5 years so I'm starting with a whole new point of view.

So I raise my glass to you and offer a toast to the old year and all the possibilities of the new one. Happy New Year!

You know you have come of age when...?

When you beat your Mother in Scrabble. All I can say is whoo hoo! (This is a big deal by the way.)

The Story of MY Christmas Tree

There's something special about decorating a Christmas tree. I told my husband it was like looking at not only my and my family's history but our history as a couple. Since he came from a family where Christmas ornaments weren't personal and he had none of his own I started giving him an ornament as a gift every year. This year he will receive number 13.

See we don't have a tree strung with similar shiney baubles from a store. We have ornaments accumulated over the years. Many handmade or given to us as gifts from family and friends. And last year I received a box of ornaments from my Grandmother. It was filled with ornaments that hung on Grandma and Grandpa's Christmas tree. I think it is so cool to have these little bits of history.

Some of the memories that are hanging on my tree are:
The paper straw I colored and glittered all up representing the straw in the stable Jesus was born in. I think I was in late elementary school. It hung on a Jesse Tree in a church rectory.
The lollipop I made in 5th grade. We sold them as efforts towards the refurbishing of the Statue of Liberty. That's when I first really understood the meaning of an assembly line when we made hundreds and hundreds of them.
The soft stuffed ornaments my mom and Grandma made before my youngest sister was born so they could be put on the bottom of the tree for safety reasons. The ceramic painted ornaments Grandma made for each of us. I have mine and my brothers.
And 12 various ornaments given to my husband. Each of them special.

And because of these ornaments I find myself sitting in silence gazing at the tree. I found myself doing this a lot at my parents home too. Looking at the memories hanging on the tree.

Happy Birthday to Youuuu!!

Sending warm wishes up to my sister Laura who is celebrating her 29th birthday today. Hope your day is awesome!

A Pie Buffet

It was the pie buffet at my parents house this Thanksgiving. Two pumpkin and apple, a pecan and a cherry. All for 11 people. Oye. At one point I was thinking..who else can we give pie away to? But we had a nice day. Lots of wonderful food and family. Now onto tomorrow. Mom and me are shopping. This is the first time I've had the day after Thanksgiving off as a holiday from work in like 8 years. It's kinda nice. Hopefully I'll make a dent in the Christmas shopping. Oh, and anyone want some pie?

Walking Away From Cookies

When my boss put a platter full of sinful looking and smelling cookies in front of me this afternoon I wondered if this was a test. To see if I really meant the changes I am trying to make in my life. That the baby carrots I brought to work to snack on were the real deal or an excuse why I could have a cookie. I didn't have one. I walked the tray down the hall and dropped it in the break room. It was so hard. Saying no to a cookie took a lot from me. But so did the words that my doctor said to me..."heart disease." Those words were stronger than cookies.

I bought a work out DVD set this weekend. Walk Away the Pounds. I can't believe I did it. If I can tune out the annoyed chatter and the hard sell on the walk away the pounds weighted balls I think I can do this for a little bit. The main thing is to give me options so I don't burn out on one thing. I have a perriwinle blue outfit to fit into in February and a long life to live.

And I finished "This Much I Know to Be True." Awesome. A little tedious due to the lengeth I finished it. This time I'm reading something much shorter and easier, 3rd Degree by James Patterson. I'll be done by the end of the week. Then maybe I'll think about a holiday book.

One last thing. I am ticked at NBC. Medium is one of my favorite shows and I can't find a stupid TV Guide so I can watch the show in 3-D. I'm taping it and asking my mom to save hers so I can get the full effect. Why can't they put them in the Sunday paper? I can always find one of those.

Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics, Oh My!

You ever typed in workout videos into Google? You come back with so many bizzare things.

Such as the Bellydance Slimdown with twins Veena and Neena. Or Cadio Hip Hop, Spiritual Aerobics (done to gospel music), Country Line Dance aerobics or Cardio Salsa. There's something for everyone you would think. But where do you begin? I did find a cool web site http://www.collagevideo.com. You can search videos and even watch snippits. It's there that you see just how bad most of these videos are and they assume everyone can dance. You know you can still buy some of the classic Jane Fonda in her tights and leg warmers?

One funny sign I noticed at a neighborhood donut shop I passed by. The thing they wanted to advertise was the $1.99 day old donuts. It's always great to aspire to the best!

What Did I do to Myself?

I've been in a funk. I'm sure you can tell. I just haven't wanted to blog, or even get near the computer for the sake of blogging. It's not that I don't think "Gee, that would be funny on Sarah Says" or "Man, I gotta talk about that issue!" Because those conversations are going on in my head. I've always talked to myself. It's just I'm sitting in the other room and I talk myself out it.

Not tonight. This weekend was eye-opening. I really saw myself in reflective objects while out shopping with my family. All of it. The round face and neck. My protrouding stomach. My walk, or should I call it my shuffle? I look much older than 31. And probably act it too since I don't keep up as well as I could.

How did it happen? How did I get here? How didn't I stop somewhere in the middle and really see me? When I started outgrowing clothing, and then the fat-people clothing? And the fear that come along with it. Not just the fear I won't fit into the dress my for sister's wedding in February. But that my body will give out too soon. That I will never have children because of it. That I'm missing out on life.

How did it happen? More important..how do you fix this? Where do you begin?

Hot on Friday, Chilly on Tuesday

Whew.

I've been busy. First there was the chili cookoff last Friday. We didn't win, but I say we were robbed! The second place chili..no flavor. But it was held at church so I shouldn't malign the winners or non-winners I guess. My house smelled like chili for 3 days. I guess there are worse things for a house to smell like!

Then there was Hurricane Wilma. We were lucky we were spared again. I don't know how the Tampa area keeps dodging the bullet. We are so due. But I won't complain.

Because of Wilma I had storm duty at work which meant a few early morning hours..but that's about it.

And the weather. On Sunday it was muggy and hot and today? Mid-60's for a high. It's lovely! Opened the windows and yesterday even did some gardening.

Still reading This Much I Know is True by Wally Lamb..it's a long book. I'll get there. I don't read more than 300 pages into a book and not finish it.

I'm off to enjoy a rare evening at home with my husband since he works such crazy hours. He's even cooking, a rarer treat these days.

Till next time.

My Mouth, My Mouth, My Mouth is on Fire!

So I made my first attempt at making chili tonight, for a chili cook-off at church on Friday night. It was an adventure. Between my friend and my husband tasting it and we finally got it to not feel like your lips were being burned off and firey hot lava was going down your throat. In fact I think it's pretty good. And after a day of simmering in a crockpot, it should kick butt if I do say so myself. I don't know if I expect to win on our first outing...but it could happen. Onto table decorations. Have to win the judges over on all sides. Now, if only my mouth would stop burning!

Blog post. Check!

Whew. Where does the time go to? First it was Sept. and now it's Oct. My birthday came and went, but we don't want to talk about that and another anniversary of my brother's death, don't care to talk about that either.

I've read a few books. Noteably "Meena, Heroine of Afgahnistan" by Melody Ermachild Chavaz. Now I'm onto the gigantic "I Know this Much to be True" by Wally Lamb and a psychic mystery was tucked in between.

I went on my very first business trip to North Carolina last month and will return next week for a staff meeting. It is pretty cool. Getting to travel without paying a dime. Although I could have done without the massive thunderstorm that kept my return flight grounded for 2 1/2 hours and making a very late night for me. My boss left, and that's a good thing. I'm still there and it looks like another one will be on the way in.

In that month I was also published. Well kinda, no by-line. My company is a sponsor of a museum in Tallahassee and I wrote the featured article. I was very proud of myself.

So on to October. With it's witches, pumpkins and fall-like temperatures, oh I mean fall-like in other places in the country and tropical storms/hurricanes in Florida, and shorter days.

It's funny how I go through the day and think "gee that would be great on Sarah Says," but somehow I just don't get it here. I always say I will try to do better. And then I fail. And then my friend Aaron tells me he took Sarah Says off his favorites because I don't update this enough. (Okay, that hurt a little.) Man, the pressure to produce :-) So I'll keep trying. As my adoring fan (fans? may be too many) has asked me to get with it.

Goodnight.

You Know When..

You know when your relationship with your Mother is different than when you were a child is when you receive an e-mail titled this:

Benefits of SEX!

So She's Leaving..

So yesterday my boss announced she's resigned from the company and is leaving in two weeks.

Now for many people a boss leaving is a big reason to celebrate. Me, I'm not. I just was getting to know her and understand what she wants. Plus, I chose to work for her. Plus I'm hoping they don't consider my job to be expendable and for the new person to bring in a person of their choosing. Little freaked about that.

But at least it's a long weekend. More time for me to fixate on the realities of the corporate world.

What More is there to Say?

Sarah Says was taking a mini vacation. Trying to decide if this was a venture that I wanted to continue. I find myself coming home NOT wanting to get on a computer after spending more than 8 hours daily sitting in front of one, often working intensively. So I find myself just not even coming in the room where the computer sits.

I found myself wanting to comment on things in the past 2 weeks. Thinking about what I would say, the pictures I might include. But that was usually just as I sat in the car on the way home from work.

Then Hurricane Katrina hit. Even though I don't work in the news business anymore I find that I am still a news junky. Although I don't have time to read the wires at work I do read the paper and then come home, settle in and watch the horror unfolding in front of my eyes on the television. I'm numb to be honest. Kind of like after Sept. 11. The vast amounts of human suffering along the Gulf Coast is unfathomable. Yes New Orleans is important but those people just to the east, in Mississippi and Alabama that haven't shared in the spot light. Where entire towns have been wiped away. My heart is so sad. But I have decided to keep writing. For now at least. For now this is what I need to do.

Secret Life of Bees

This is one of the best books I've read in a long time and I highly recommend it. Her language skills are superb and her storytelling top notch. Some of the characters I loved so much I wanted to jump in the book and meet them.
The book is set in 1964 in South Carolina during the tumultuous racial integrations that were sweeping the country. In the midst of it all a young white girl finds herself in a home of three African American sisters named August, June and May who blur racial lines and show her true compassion and help her on her journey to healing after living with an incredibly abusive father and coming to terms with what happened to her mother who died when she was four. The bees are an literary tool used to tie the human experience together. I'm sad it's over because the time I spent reading it I found myself savoring it and drinking in the details. I can't wait to read another one of her novels. I now have really high expectations of this author now that I know what she is capable of.

Contimplating the Sky

Have you ever contimplated the sky?
How amazing it truly is? How the clouds can be light and fluffy, floating in the bright blue sky. Or dense and black and menacing during a storm. Or pink during a sunset, speckled with stars at night?
I know we are often so busy going about preoccupied with ourselves that we often don't sit back and see the beautiful things surrounding us. And let them fill us with wonder or peace so we can reflect on wonderful things.

Lifes Reality Checks

Growing up as a little girl I always imagined and believed that once you found that person you wanted to marry and had the big day it was smooth sailing in the relationship department. I mean you were in love and that's all you needed right?

I even had really good marital pre-counseling and none of it prepares you for just how hard being married is. It is a job in its self. You have to work to make it work, and even then sometimes it just doesn't because the other person doesn't want to do the work.

Something so little as actually listening and asking about how you are and really meaning it. When you know something is important to your spouse, making it important to you. And the little things. So many times it's the little things that can make all the difference in the world. A kiss, a hug, a card, remembering when you should. It all adds up.

Thought I Was Gonna Hurl

Today I attended media training with my department. We were practicing media interviews. Now this is the first time I had EVER been interviewed on camera, heck I'd never been interviewed, I was always the interviewer. It was horrific (thus the photo above with the vultures) and I seriously thought I was going to be sick. Going over what you are going to say in your head is the easy part. You can sound confident and cocky and you imagine your gonna rock.

And then your mouth opens. And the stuff coming out is not at all what you thought should be. And then there's this camera right in your face. But I did it. I got out of my comfort zone and I'm proud of that. I have new respect for PR people. Being able to keep it together on the fly, getting their message out and remembering lipstick should be a must for all ladies on camera, especially me.

Grave Markers

So how many of you out there have a folder on your computer called Grave Markers? As I was transferring files I started thinking that I might be a little strange for having one. See a few years back I got interested in my families genealogies. And through searching the Internet I found a distant cousin of my Mom's who had done extensive work on the Kinder side of my family (back to the 1600's). The next time I was in Ft. Wayne (my mom's hometown) I found myself in the cemetery with my Mom and Aunt Pat finding family graves. We found ones we knew about (like the one above which is my Mom's grandfather) and ones we didn't know were there, family members dating to the early 1900's.

There's something very grounding (sorry for the pun) about being in a cemetery, especially standing in front of graves of ancestors from many years gone by. I remember thinking I wonder what these people were like, what they looked like. It's also grounding because it's an ending that everyone faces and you can't hide from it in a cemetery.

So I don't think I'm that strange having a folder named Grave Markers, because really it's a family photo album of a sort.

So I Fibbed..No Big Deal

Ok, so in the previous post it said I was going to go and buy the new Harry Potter book and lend it to my mom because I was already in the middle of page-turner that I didn't want to interrupt. Well, that was the intention. But last Saturday after returning from buying the book at Target and sitting down on my couch where I only intended to glance through it and take a good look at the cover front and back (they are always good hints at what's to come) I cracked it and read the first page...and before I knew it I was 50 pages in. When my parents came home from vacation I told her she was going to have to wait a week...I was reading the book. I just finished it tonight. A little slower than my usual, but I realized I read the last one way too fast and don't remember as much as I thought I did. Note to self: go back and re-read the series before the final book!

So what do I think? It was great. And I love the new more grown-up Harry and that him and his buds are "snogging" or making out and finding more and more about who he is and what he needs to do. The death was sad, but I wasn't shocked, I think I knew who was going to die. The seventh book will be a departure from the rest and I can't wait to get my hands on it. So J.K., get writing would you?

Now back to my other book, Angels & Demons, I know the good part is about to start so there'll be more intense reading coming my way. I am always amazed how much books can suck you in. My husband thinks I'm nuts and even told me he's glad I'm done with the Potter book because he thinks I liked reading it more than spending time with him. Now that's not true, not mostly...
just kidding honey!

Happy Harry Potter Release Day!

Ok, I don't have a copy yet, I'm on my way out to Target where I hope to score a copy. I think I will have to let my Mom read it first because I am in the middle of a book right now and I don't want to stop mid-read. But I am excited and can't wait to get reading on this one. I know I'm 30, but this series has been a great read. I'm just so happy that so many kids are excited about reading. In a world with so many other distractions it's hard to get them to sit still and read anything, let along books in excess of 600 pages!

So Happy Harry Potter Release Day! Kids around the world are quiet reading!

Lucky, Lucky, Lucky

Well, there's some damage in the Tampa Bay area. A tornado touched down earlier this morning along the beaches and tree braches are down and some minor roof damage. But once again Tampa Bay has been really spared. I don't know how it happens, but I feel very blessed and lucky.

And it's so funny, I didn't realize that when I linked to NOAA that the image would continue to update. In a little more than a day, Dennis will be gone. Wonder what the picture will show then. But it is pretty cool.

Gulp!

So is there such thing as pre-tramtic stress disorder rather than just post? Reading the words 130 miles per hour and moving more easterly, causes my head to hurt and my stomach to get all in knots. And all the waiting, the news casts, forcasts and more waiting. I think I'm going to need some counseling if this keeps up!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Wednesday is my Grandma's 80th birthday. I wish I could have been there to celebrate but the new job didn't allow for it.

I am very lucky to have had her for so long in my life and am looking forward to more memories.

Happy Birthday!

I'm Grateful to You.

Over the past four months I've been very blessed to have a certian friend who has stepped up to help me through a really tough patch in my life.

He has let me bend his ear for many hours and in the end only encouraged me. He came when I asked, even for the smallest and trivial things and never complained to me, never waivered.

So tonight I want to thank him again. You know who you are and you need to know ANY time you need a friend you know who you can call. Because your tab is very long with me.

Have a very safe trip tomorrow my friend.

Genius, pure genius

He's no madman!

So I went to the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg this weekend. I have lived in Pinellas County since I was 5 and this is the first time I had ever been there. What was I thinking?

In my head I had images of melting clocks and other shocking paintings. That is only one small part of Dali's repertoire. He painted stunning pieces, some vibrant in color, and others very subtle, all complex in detail and stunning in his mastery.

Some of his larger works which stood from ceiling to floor had me amazed. I know at times my mouth just hung open in wonder as to how one person could do such paintings.

So if you're in St. Petersburg, take time out and go see this museum, it will be worth your time and money to get to glimpse inside of the mind of a genius.

Summer Sure Is Something

Smile, It's Almost Summer

So what is about the eve of the Summer Solstice that makes me want to clean? I can't figure it out myself. First it started innocently with some light dusting and picking up and laundry. Next thing you know, I'm mopping the kitchen and bathroom floors, and enjoying it. Is it cosmic forces coming together at 2:40 something this morning that marks the beginning of summer that set me off? What has encouraged me to turn up the CD player and to gleefully clean my house on a Monday night? To breath deeply the orange-scented fumes of Mr. Clean as they cleanse the kitchen floors? I don't know what it was, but it had to be something not of this world. Because my house is now a little cleaner, brighter and I didn't mind it.

Happy Summer everyone. Get out there and enjoy the longer days. Enjoy whatever it is that brings you joy today. Even if it is mopping.

I'm waiting for the same thing to strike me in regards to pulling weeds. Never know what the great cosmic forces will have me doing next.

Do These Guys Ever Work?

Tribune Biz Team

So I get this picture e-mailed to me yesterday with the subject: See What You're Missing? and from another "If this doesn't make you home sick I don't know what will."

It's good to see they're taking the new guy in my job out and making him feel welcome AND having a good time while they are at it. As you can see there are reasons why I do miss those guys, they always knew how to have a good time, no matter how stupid/funny they looked.

Hats off to you the Business Staff & two Baylifers that came along for the fun. I do miss you, but a girl's gotta make a living too!

Weeds, Be Gone!

Ok, it's hot this week in Central Florida and dry. So every day I have to water the plants outside to make sure they don't die.

So why is it that they plants wilt and the weeds flourish? They look healthier than the day before when I didn't water them. And how do they grow so fast? I just don't get it. In addition, how is it possible that I mowed the lawn Saturday afternoon and it needs to be mowed again, like yesterday? This crazy Florida weather brings even crazier gardening!

I'm Not Scared..Maybe.

So what is about scary movies that people love and make them want to watch more of them? I just don't understand it. I caught myself watching a movie on Lifetime Movies that was a horror flick and I couldn't stop watching it. Something about tensing up while expecting something bad to happen and then the release when it does. And trying to figure out why something is happening and who is causing it. And that feeling afterwards that the movie left a creepy feeling with you that the bad guy could be lurking around the corner in your house.

Why do we do it? And since it's supernatural week on Lifetime if the movie catches my fancy tomorrow night again, I'll be asking that to myself again.

I'm Living in A Corporate World!

Whew!
Week one of working in the corporate world has come and gone. And what a week it was. I think I can get used to this kind of corporate culture. One where I get taken out to the Columbia Restaurant (swanky Spanish/Cuban restaurant) on the first night and had every thing paid for, even drinks and desert is I wanted it. And I already have 2 company shirts, which is helpful in building this new wardrobe.

But it is hard work. Being at work on time and there at 8 a.m., meetings, scheduled, re-scheduled and re-scheduled again (I do a lot of that), invoices and yes fans, I, Sarah, will be balancing the department BUDGET at the end of the year. Thank God an accounting rep is given to me, or I should fear the outcome. I don't balance the family checkbook, and there is a reason for it.

Did I mention a corp. credit card and a cell phone? Yes, all of those will soon be mine. Sounds pretty fancy...it's not, but it's a step up for me. Now I just have to turn my body's clock around and become used to getting up at 6:30...will that ever happen?

So Sarah Says has gone to the dark side...and I'm not looking back.

I'm still young at heart

So I took this dumb little Internet quiz and found out that my mental age is 29! I'm OK with this since I am 30. For some reason I was afraid I would be pegged at 50 or something, to go along with the ever increasing number of gray hairs I keep getting. Here's what the quiz said about me:

You Are 29 Years Old

29 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Fricken' Nervous!

Okay, so the new job starts tomorrow. I have orientation in the morning for 8-11:30, into work, more orientation and then DINNER with my new team, boss and her new boss! OYE! I haven't been this nervous, well in a long time or longer. I was actually pacing yesterday. PACING. I told a good friend it was lucky I had very little alcohol in my house because I would have been stinking drunk Saturday night just so I could shut my brain up. This is like actually a REAL job, one I'm going to have to work hard at. What the heck was I thinking? Say a little prayer for me this week, I'm surely going to need it!

My New Favorite Workout Name

I was flipping through the channels a few evenings ago and I came across this new workout: Yoga Booty Ballet. The name just cracked me up. It's a mix of yoga, "booty sculpting" and dance. You have to see the commercial at sometime, the moves are so funny. You can read about the program by clicking the link.

Beachbody Fitness, Nutrition, Diet and Weight Loss Programs, Products & Videos

I'm So Flattered

Yesterday was the last day for me at the Tampa Tribune. I'm still trying to wrap my head around all the nice things people did for me and said. Gave me a big head by the end. I mean wow. There was a dozen pink roses from the boss, a nice lunch, a $50 gift card to any Outback branded restaurant, a lovely bottle of wine, a page (more on that some other time) and more hugs than I may have ever had in 1 day. All over me leaving a job? There'll be photos later, once Skippy and Jeff from Side Salad fame gets them over to me.

Wow, it's over, and at the new job I'll have to really work hard...I'll miss those guys from the paper. Good co-workers are hard to come by. I'm just so flattered.

A Haiku for Everything

This is the Haiku Dave sent me at 5:30 this afternoon:

Oh Saddam Hussein:
I LOVE those tighty whiteys!
As Paris says: HOT!

Just proof that there is a Haiku for every reason and season.

On another note, quitting this job has been kinda surreal. I am really starting to appreciate the people I get the opportunity to work with. There are some real class acts, some not so, but mostly great. I will miss them and the banter that is associated working here. But on the flip side, 12 paid holidays and a nice pay raise. I'll just have to hang out with my friends on the weekend.

A Little Toilet Humor

Can this cause a shy bladder?

So I had to get a drug test for the new job. And there's this time frame they give you, three days from the day you receive the packet with your acceptance, so that day was Monday (I didn't count Monday, I didn't get it till like 7:30 at night because). So I tried Wed. to go, well the center had moved and I couldn't find it. So it was Thursday, I HAD to get the damn test.

So I got up and started drinking water, I had two enormous glasses. Off to the place by 9:30, that's when the testing could begin. In by 9:40, and it happened. My bladder was shy (or stressed, don't know which) but I couldn't fill the damn cup. Soon the lady is knocking on the door telling me my time is up. But I didn't have enough, barely any. So out I came with my pathetic offering. I would have to try again. There was a water fountain in the lobby. So I gulped, and gulped and gulped some more. For almost 10 minutes. With each mouth-full of water I thought of running water, babbling brooks, waterfalls. And then I drank some more. The old lady in the waiting room must have thought I was nuts, well she was looking at me that way. So at 10:10 I'm back in the bathroom. I BARELY make the line. Where all this water I have been drinking has gone to is beyond me.

Off to work I go and half way there, I have to pee. And for the rest of the day, I was running to the bathroom. Bladder wasn't shy there, obviously it feels comfortable there.

I've Resigned to Resign...

So, today I officially resigned from my position at the paper. I've been there for more than eight years and it was time. I'm going to work for a large Fortune 250 company in St. Petersburg. Not going to reveal it here for now. Being careful.

It was terrifying for me. I have never resigned a real job before. Besides, I like the people I work with, I just got tired of the job. But everyone was kind and many people are excited for me. So in celebration, a Haiku is in store!

Bye bye first real job
Hours of typing and of fun.
New one lights me up.

Can't Stop

Today Dave Simanoff and I decided we would write all messages in Haiku today. Here's some of his:

If you can't say it
in seventeen syllables,
it ain't worth saying!

Three poetry lines:
five, seven and five syllables.
Haiku forever!

Mullins did chuckle.
He says he likes your haiku
It hits close to home.

Miller time, you say?
If I look directly left
It is Mullins time.

So very boring
At four-twenty on Friday.
Where is the weekend?

Once you write Haiku
It's very hard to stop.
Haiku forever!
- Sarah

Soo Yummy

Mmmm..Peanut Butter Oreos!

The person at Nabisco who thought up Peanut Butter Double Stuff Oreos should be given a HUGE raise. What a genius and why did it take this dang long to come up with? I mean come one, peanut butter and chocolate just go together. Just thought I would put my two cents in. And by the way, they are SOOOOO yummy.

Go to http://www.nabiscoworld.com/oreo to read more about Oreos and take the personality quiz to see what kind of eater of Oreos you are...It said I am a twister...which is wrong, I believe you should just eat the cookie as it, then you get all the flavors together. But it is fun anyways.

My Pet Fat...Ew!

So you're trying to lose weight? This company will ship you a plastic blob shaped and colored to look like fat. You can get the 1 oz., 1 pound or 5 pound blob. I guess they figure when you look at the disguesting blob you won't be as hungry. Check out the link below.

My Pet Fat

Daily Bushism...

President Bush isn't exactly the wordsmith. Take a moment to read some of his gems at the link below. Here's a good example:

"We look forward to analyzing and working with legislation that will make—it would hope—put a free press's mind at ease that you're not being denied information you shouldn't see."
—Washington, D.C., April 14, 2005


Bushism of the Day By Jacob�Weisberg

High tech Pope

I just thought this was an interesting story. Pope Benedict now has an e-mail address. benedictxvi@vatican.va. So if you have a prayer request or just want to drop the guy a line it is simple as a few key strokes away. I guess Pope John Paul II was the first high tech Pope and was seen typing away on a laptop. It's good to see that trend continued.

You can read the story by clicking below.

Yahoo! News - Pope Benedict XVI Gets E-Mail Address