You know you grew up in the 80's/early 90's IF....

I think we've all gotten this E-Mail before...I thought it was funny, and unfortunately agreed to some of it!


1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word "PSYCHE
2. You watched the Pound Puppies
3. You can sing the rap to the "Fresh Prince of Belair" ...and can do the "Carlton".
4. Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly sexy
5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to start a club of your own.
6. You owned those lil' Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls.
7. You know that "WHOA" comes from Joey on Blossom
8. Two words: Hammer Pants
9. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock ".
10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars...and "spokey-dokes" or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect.
11. You can sing the entire theme song to "Duck Tales" (Woo ooh!)
12. When it was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
13. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
14. You saw the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"on the big screen... and still know the turtles names
15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
16. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.
17. You played the game "MASH " (Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House)
18. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.
19. L.A. Gear....need I say more
20. You wanted to change your name to "JEM ". (She's truly outrageous.)
21. You remember reading "Tales of a fourth grade nothing " and all the Ramona books.
22. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF"
23. You wanted to be a Goonie.
24. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe)
25. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
26. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
27. You took lunch boxes to school... and traded Garbage Pail Kids in the schoolyard.
28. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
29. You still get the urge to say "NOT " after every sentence.
30. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.
31. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band.
32. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hook up.
33. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
34. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes. (and like #24, probably in neon colors, too)
35. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?" 36. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up "
37. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.
38. You never got seriously injured on a Slip and Slide.
39 You have ever played with a Skip-It.
40. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.
41 You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement.
42. You remember Popples.
43. "Don't worry, be happy "
44. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high top Reeboks.
45. You wore socks scrunched down (and sometimes still do... getting yelled at by "younger hip" members of the family)
46. "Miss MARY MACK MACK MACK, all dressed in BLACK BLACK BL ACK"
47. You remember boom boxes.. and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.
48. You remember watching both "Gremlins " movies.
49. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!!"
50. You remember watching "Rainbow Bright" and "My Little Pony Tales "
51. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.
52. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
53. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool... and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB".
54. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By the Bell ", the ORIGINAL class.
55. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
56. You just sang those words to yourself.
57.You remember watching Magic vs. Bird.
58. homemade Levi shorts.. (the shorter the better)
59. You remember when mullets were cool!
60. You had a mullet!
61. You still sing "We are the World "
62. You tight rolled your jeans.
63. You owned a bannana clip
64. You remember "Where's the Beef?
65. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' about Willis?"
66. You had big hair and you knew how to use it.
67. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren't you!!!

Cooking, Cooking, Cooked

I am thankful that Thanksgiving is over!

#2. I Am Thankful For My Friends

DISCLAIMER: This story has a little alcohol involved in it, so if you think you may be offended, DON'T read it


I recently got back in touch with my old friend from 1st grade, Karin, that I went to private school with in Staten Island, NY. I was so excited that we found each other (and the fact that she strangely lives 2 hours aways from me!) that I started going through my old boxes to...you guessed it...find my first Diary. Thanks to the teachings of my mom, I used to write down EVERYTHING! Well, pretty much anyway.

As I was looking for it, I came across a notebook that I used to have in college. A simple piece of paper floated out of it onto the floor, and without a second guess, I knew what it was. It was my name written in this cool artwork that my friend Rich did for me in one of our Psych. classes. He was really good at drawing and one day in class, I asked him to do my name.

He was #88 on our football team and was so sarcastic. He was almost to the point of being mean! But deep down he was really sweet. He gave me a hard time whenever he would see me in the halls. John and I were always together and if I was alone, or walking with my girlfriends; the first thing that would come out of Rich's mouth (along with some of our other friends) were "Where's your boyfriend? Did you two have a fight, or just have surgery at the hip?" Something stupid like that. But the way he said it, was always to make me laugh.

There was a good group of us that had most of our Psychology classes together and we all sat in the same order in every class. We were all pretty close. Rich used to sit behind me and pull at my hair to wake me up if the teacher was coming. Or tell me to sit up if it was his turn to sleep...in order to hide him.

This monster of a guy that was on the football team too, Jimmy was the sweetest, and their friend who had the nick name "Hot Guy" sat across from us. He was a receiver. There would be these parties at Penn State and it was called for a weekend trip if you went.Whether games were held on Friday, or Saturday, you were gone till Sunday night, sometimes Monday morning and get back in time for your first class. Rich, Hot Guy and my other girlfriends would keep telling me that I should have come with them that weekend, and show pictures of all the fun they had. I was never allowed to go because I lived at home with my crazy dad and step-mother, but when I moved out...I was opened to a world that only party gods know of.

Our local parties were just as crazy, and the last party of October (the Daylight Savings Party...one more hour of fun, and to drink) was always held at the "football house". That's where the guys that were from out of state lived. I remember sitting in the living room where Rich and a few of our other friends were going back and forth with the funniest jokes and stories you ever heard. Granted every one was pretty much buzzed or drunk, but it was hilarious nonetheless. John and I were getting ready to leave and I saw Rich walking out. I thought he was going to drive, so I told John I would be right back, and went out the door.

He was standing at the end of the sidewalk and I yelled for him to get back inside. He asked me why I was out there and I told him I didn't want him to drive. He looked at me like I was crazy and said "You should know I wouldn't do anything like that! I'd get thrown off the team if I got caught anyway and you think I want that?" I was shivering like crazy...PA's not the warmest state around, and he yelled at me for not having a coat on. He took his off and put his arm around me and walked back inside. "I was just getting some air, that's all." He looked at me and said "You know, you're the first girl here that I've picked on so much that was still nice to me." I reminded him that I was nice, but I gave attitude right back at him. He started laughing and said Yeah, then said thanks for being a "cool girl". I thought it was weird to hear him say that since he's never serious but chalked it up to the tequila shots, and said thanks. Said goodbye and John and I left.

Unfortunately, after a long weekend (and too much partying at one time, I suppose) I got Pneumonia. It was awful, my voice gone and to even open my eyes was painful. It was a Monday morning, and I desperately tried to reach the phone to call my friend Jamie and tell her I couldn't go to school. I just laid there for what felt like forever till I heard the phone ring. It was Jamie telling me that school was delayed that morning. I could barely talk and told her I couldn't get to my window to see if it had snowed. She said "No Simone, didn't you hear?" I was like "No, what?" She said "Rich, Jay (Hot Guy), Tony, and Mike went down to Penn last night for a party and ended up in the hospital..."
She didn't finish her sentence, she said she didn't want to tell me anymore, to call John or Lynn and have them tell me. I was like "WHAT Jamie!" I don't know how at that point I was yelling but I was and she told me that Rich was killed. A girl who was driving on the other side of the highway was trying to reach for her cat, and swerved onto the other side hitting them head on. Jay called our friend Rebekah and made it down to State College in 1 hour. I don't know how she didn't get pulled over but she made it. Jamie was trying to tell me who was there and what happened to the other guys but I just blanked out.

I woke up with my friend Lynn, and Jamie in my room telling me I had to go to the hospital. I refused to go, but they forced me to. They skipped school and spent the day with me in the ER and waited for with me for my medication. I had to stay at Lynn's house and she and her mom took care of me for the week. I told John not to come by. I knew he had a busy schedule but he came to visit later anyway.

While we were waiting for my doctor, Lynn had her cell phone waiting to hear from Rebekah how the other guys were doing. We were crying one moment and the next trying to joke about the funny things Rich would say if he saw us. Rebekah called and said Jay was in surgery and didn't know much yet. The other guys Tony, and Mike weren't as bad but none of them were in any condition to play ball.

The end of that week was Rich's funeral in Connecticut (I think) and I couldn't go. Lynn's mom told me I had to stay b/c of the condition I was in. I was devastated. All my friends were getting ready to leave, and I was stuck in bed. The past week was so strange, and I can't remember much of it but I remember the day of his funeral, I cried so much. I sent a letter of sorrow to his parents and gave it to Lynn. Everyone had written something to give to the family.

The following week, I was getting better and was able to go to school. I got there early, and walked into my first class to see my friend Andrea sitting in Rich's seat behind mine. Her hand was passing back and forth over his desk, her eyes red. I sat down and looked at her and she said "You know, he finally asked me to Fall Dance last week." In a moment it felt like he was still there and I said "Finally! You know how long he was talking about that?"
Her- "You know how long I've been talking about that?!"
We started laughing, with tears starting to fall. We sat there in silence and she said, "I really have you to thank for getting us together."
me- "Why? Because I called him chicken enough times?"
her- "No, because he used to like you when you first came here. The day you said he was like a brother to you, he started talking to me about you. I didn't like him at first b/c I thought he was a pain in the ass. But we became best friends, and now..."
She started crying and I just hugged her. "And at least I have you as a friend instead of hating you for going out with him." We just started laughing again. I told her I would sit up in class if she felt like laying down, and I did.

There was a school ceremony that Wed. and more sadness. That night when I got home from practice, I got a letter in the mail from Rich's mom. She said the sweetest things, I felt a little more at ease.
The next football game we hosted was pretty hard, I don't even remember our routine, or cheers we did. I don't even remember if we won! I just remember standing there.

It's been 10 years this fall that my friend has been gone. I never understand why things happen the way they do. Two years later, another close friend of mine that was battling depression killed herself on Christmas Day.
I start hating myself thinking if there was something I could have done, they would still be here!!
All these other things I get warnings about, and why not them?!!
Another friend killed when I was in 9th grade, she called a few of us out of the blue that Saturday to tell us she loved us. Like she knew!
The last thing I heard another friend tell me before he died was to "stay good", and "we'll ditch together after spring break for old time's sake". He killed himself during the break.
All these people have their friends and family so why do I feel so responsible?

I've learned hard lessons that life is short. I am grateful for my family, and friends. And why we should treat each other in the best way we can. Say what we mean, do what we say. Figure out our problems and move on.
Friendship means a lot to me, and I appreciate the people who put up with me and all my flaws, short-comings, etc. (Lord knows I have many) but I hope I have shown my appreciation one way or another.
I've said this before, and it sounds mean when I say it but I don't have time for people who are fake. People who say they're friends, and then hurt you. I would trade in all my 'acquaintances' if it meant one more day with those friends I lost.

I'm going to see a girlfriend of mine next week to do some Christmas shopping and we haven't seen each other in a year. I am so excited and going to very much enjoy the day.
I'm going to email my 1st grade friend and tell her the entry I found in my Diary of us going to her house and putting on Whitney Houston's 45 record of "the Greatest Love of All" and singing it over and over again. And tell her I can't wait to get together with her after the holidays.
I'm going to miss my friend this Thanksgiving b/c every year growing up we would save the wish bones out of the Turkey and make a wish together.
I'm going to miss the friends I think about so often and wonder what they're up to b/c I have no idea where they are; but hope they're alive and well and have the best life anyone could have handed them.

I am sad today, but hopefully, in a new light, see this Thanksgiving as a new way of being truly thankful for my friends that are here with me, and have passed through my life.
I love and miss you all.

I Remember

All the fun things we did
Listening to music till 2 in the morning
Surprising me with City Lights, Waterfalls, Desert Moons
This song's for you...and this one, and this one
Whatever I wanted, you gave
Laughing at the silliest things
Taking ATVs to the edge of mountains
I dared you to take my breath away, and you did
Flying me to you, mailing me your heart
Diamonds sparkling around my neck
Tears in our eyes
Hearts breaking in two
Never meant to be
My favorite ring in your hand
Slipped back on my finger when we said goodbye...along with all the memories
Forgotten when you held her hand
"Is that the way we stand?"
Do you remember me?
I'm such a fool for you...

Happy Birthday

Do You Have To Let It Linger...

In A Word

If I could tell you in a word
How deeply these feelings flow,
And how with every passing night and day
They only seem to grow.
I'd search the whole world over
'Til eternal darkness fell,
I'd climb the stairway to Heaven
And walk through the fires of hell.
If I could show you in a glance
How much I really care,
I'd look up to the deep blue skies
And on wings I'd take you there.
I'd show you things of such beauty
That no one before you knew,
And I'd show you all of the beautiful things
I see when I look at you.
If I could show you in a word
I'd look to the Heavens above,
And all the angels would wisper to me
"The word you search for is 'LOVE' ".

written a long, long time ago

Okay, A Few More

Have a Nice Day Everyone....

Interesting...

Sesame Street...in the Ghetto

It's a sad, sad day when Kermit can no longer sing his "It's Not Easy Being Green" pain away.

This is What I Feel Like Today...Pictures are Worth a Million

(Except it has my name)

Greetings from Brooklyn

I usually just email pictures out to family and friends of our kids, but this was funny.

I was going crazy trying to get everything together for my classes I teach and I hear bang!, bang!, BANG!

My little Brooklyn has a temper beyond all.... She was in the dining room with my shoes banging the box onto the floor! She was getting so mad, then started laughing! I took some pictures because she looked so funny!

I can't leave Jalen out either... here are a few other random ones.
Sheba- hope Kaitlyn gets better! We miss and love you guys. Jalen is drawing a picture for Katey right now, RIGHT next to me!

(I'm so glad I have help picking out the right pictures of them!) ...And YES, that's ERIC w/a mohawk!

Top 5

Don't know why I'm on a movie kick... but one of my other favorites is High Fidelity for more reasons than I can write.
I saw that movie with one of the funniest guy friends I ever had. We had so much fun together.
We had this thing where we'd talk about our "Top 5" lists of stuff, and funny enough...they had that all over the movie! Just had a Top 5 tonight, so I thought I would write it down before I forgot.
I'm sure I'll be expanding on this post, as I do when I talk to my friends from my college years.

Top 5 WORST (or DUMBEST phrases) I ever heard a GIRL say:

5. You totally make me laugh, but I'm such an easy-laugher!

4. I have blue contacts, so I guess when people ask me what color my eyes are, I tell them blue
when I have them in.

3. I just made out with your friend, but I really wanted you.

2. ....Conversation: [Guy]: I think strippers are hot, I would love to date a stripper.
[Girl who's never stepped foot into a club before]:
I'm a stripper! I'll strip for you right now if you'll go out with me!
(this conversation was NOT held a strip club)

1. [Guy at club]: You're so cool! I'm so glad it doesn't bother you that I have a wife.
[Girl]: No! As long as you're not married, I really don't care!
(This was overheard at a dance club)

Lesson to learn: Clubs are BAD.

"They are just, a bunch, of Pansies...."

I love this movie, not because I've had to watch it a million times over for the sake of my kids (okay, sometimes myself) and have learned all the words in it.

...And not because the leader of the little "fuzzbuckets" speaks with an Indian accent either. It's just so funny, and has some dry humor in it which I love.

So I was watching it today and it dawned on me that I was behaving like Alex the Lion. I know I've written about living on our beach-surrounded island, and it's absolutely beautiful...blah, blah, blah. By no means should I be taking for granted where I live. It has brought my family closer together, and the lifestyle here matches mine and John's personality very well.

But, there's a part of me that is longing for the Big Lights. The Big City. The Big Apple.

We lived in VA prior to moving here, and I was only an hour flight away from my home-town. Yes, I lived in AZ for 8 years, and I have a lot of memories there, but NY is my first love, my home-town.

Now I'm further away (not that much, but enough to be sad) from the airport, and even further from a Nordstrom's. I would even settle for a TARGET!...which is what I told my long lost friend from 1st grade (hi Karin!) and my sister. I should be grateful for all the little boutiques and shops we have around here, you won't find anything like them anywhere! But what I wouldn't give to see a BCBG, or Bebe, even a Cinnabon?!!! Betsy Johnson, berkly-girl??? No? ...Okay.

Am I over-reacting? YES! I tell myself. I'm living in a place where people come to retire! Where people come to get away from the hustle and bustle!

You can take the girl out of the City, but you can't take the City out of the girl.
I remember the first day we landed in AZ from NY, I was in shock to see all the "flatness". Worse than being an A-cup. This was bad. I was hot, and wanted to cry. "Where are all the buildings?" I think was my second question, after "Is it always this hot?" My sisters and I sat in silence the whole way to our house. I think it was a mix of sadness and shock. And a little dehydration.
It's not that bad...and I'm not 9 anymore. I have embraced everywhere I've lived, but mostly b/c it was on the east coast and I'm an east coast girl at heart.

So why is this so different? Well, it's not Long Island - that's not really an island; THIS is.

You have to take two bridges over the Atlantic to get here, and then 2 more to get to my island. We are in a paradise hell. I say that because I have been mourning my own boutiques...my New York boutiques. My Starbuck's, my favorite wedding magazine!

But that's all changed after today! Like Alex, I have learned to love the fish that really tastes like steak. (If you haven't seen the movie, rent it b/c I'm not explaining this).

I am really loving where I am...and going to love it even more. I will venture out and see the other little shoppes, and gourmet food stores (which I really love going to) and not feel like I'm betraying any other cities one bit! I will stop being a "pansy" and "smile and wave" at all I see.
{I will also secretly love all the cute surfer guys that "smile and wave" at me}.

I will love going to new restaurants that have some of the best chefs around...many who have cooked in restaurants in NY, and many other big cities and made a fine living down here. If they can do it, I can too!

I will love exploring the strangest and UGLIEST bugs I have ever seen and tell my daughter how neat they are. "Well, howdy-do!" ( I sometimes feel like we're in the Amazon, but that's okay!)

I will love that the DMV is in a PHARMACY and not care that it STILL takes 5 hours to get to the front of the line. (where did all these people come from?!)
"Ummm...excuse me. We bozos have the people-of course!"

I will love the beautiful sunsets and the gorgeous stars (not helicopter lights) in the sky. I will love being able to drive my Tahoe onto the beach and have my own little spot where no one will bother me. I will love having a beach bon-fire and making s'mores, or a clam-bake...thing. I will LOVE taking pictures of all the neat places around here, and I will even love going to the local (yet high end) coffee shop to get my "Haute Chocolate"...only some will get that.

I am grateful for the local Wal-Mart (still not a Target), and I am thankful that my husband was the manager of a high-end grocery gourmet store. So when I'm longing for my Baci's, or my Devon's Cream ~ I know where I can find them, and he can tell me when more will be in.

Most of all, I am thankful for my husband, my guy, my all time favorite "blue-eyed boy meets a brown-eyed girl" love. Because if he didn't understand me and my crazy talk of loving it here, and the next minute wishing we had a better internet connection; we would both go crazy. I'm glad he's here with me to ease me out of my island-fever, and talk me down the Wright Brothers Memorial Airplane.
"Does anyone want to hear me whine anymore? No? Good! So shutup!"

Life can be wildly tragic at times, and I've had my share. But whatever happens to you, you have to keep a slightly comic attitude. In the final analysis, you have got not to forget to laugh.
- Katherin Hepburn

One Disney Princess, a Pink Butterfly and Some Innocent Candy

Even though we have been here since August, we are still trying to adjust to living on our island.

For those who don't know, we were almost going to move when John got an offer in PA, but with a lot of pondering and praying, we have decided to stay.

Well, that means all the things I was refusing to unpack...really need to come out. I was unpakcing and cleaning all day and was rushing to get things ready for that night. John was gone for the week, and barely made it home Saturday night to take the girls Trick or Treating at Jalen's school. Since the houses are so spread out here, they do kind of like a 'trunk or treat' but it's at the school, and they actually turn it into a carnival. Jalen had a lot of fun, and I am so surprised Brooklyn kept her hat on from her costume!

Thanks to my sister who sent me that butterfly outfit (B was supposed to be a bumble bee, but the costume was too big) Brooklyn (who is finally in 6-9 mo. clothing, and almost 15 months) got to dress up!

Anyway, they had a good time, and of course everyone knows that it's the parents' duty to make sure their kids get enough candy....so the parents can eat some too! A pretty good chase ensued between John and I resulting in a few broken pieces of candy, Brooklyn laughing thinking we were playing tag and Jalen yelling that if we don't stop "Neither of us get anything!" (I wonder where she got that attitud from?)