Best First Wedding Dance EVER!

I would TOTALLY do this if John and I renew our vows! LOVE IT! Thanks for sending this to me Sheba!

Video and Code Provided by WhoIsTheMonkey.com

Better Late than Never! Happy Birthday Sheba!

(I don't have a lot of pictures to post right now, all the older ones are packed since we are moving, but SOMEDAY! I will put them on another post!)

Happy Birthday Sheba!!!! HOLLA!!!! This post is a little long, but I had to write as many things possible about my sister because I love her to death!

On Sunday, November 25, 2007 my sister turned………

WELL!... it was her birthday!

Our family LOVES birthdays, and we tend to go overboard sometimes. But without those celebrations, it would be a plain ol’ life!

NOT growing up in our house though. With three strong-minded sisters and two little brothers later on…NOTHING was boring!

But great minds think alike, because Sheba did a post for my birthday and I was planning to do the same for her. So I had to go back and re-vamp my stories a little so they weren’t repetitive.

So SHEBA!!!!

This is to you, my AWESOME (yes we’re sisters, REAL sisters ~ yes she’s lighter than me, no she’s not younger than me ~ sure it’s strange that we don’t look ALIKE…yes, from the same mom and dad, go watch the discovery channel, grab a map or something) SISTER!!! My Cute, little – big sister! So cute you could fit her in your pocket, cute! (She hates when I say that!) I have nick-named her Mighty Mouse, because she’s so cute and small, but she packs a MEAN punch!...Literally folks, I have the scar from her nails to prove it! Just kidding….it’s really from her curling iron.

To my BIG sister:

With whom the ORIGINAL ‘Fight Club’ started….NOT on the mean streets of NY.

I have learned to throw that mean punch (which, in 8^th grade got me suspended) and tell people off like “none of their business!” No wonder we started the ‘gobble gobble’ craze!

Even though we went to a private Catholic school… you still knew how to accessorize that uniform like NO OTHER!

The original fashionista, who taught me the right shoes meant everything.

Years ago:

Me – “I just bought my first pair of Steve Madden shoes! Do you know who he is?”

Sheba – “Yes, Ish, I have like, 11 pairs from him, why?”

C-L-I-C-K!

Note to self: Don’t waste time asking trivial questions.

****

Dressed up like Boy George when you were 11 for Halloween and ROCKED it.

And the following year we were Nikki and Appalonia from Prince. (a modest version, of course).

Who taught me how to get my dancing groove on, and let me hang out with your cooler, older friends. Learning how to pop and lock, stomp, and a little break dancing in the playground of St. Mark’s.

Cheering for me in my first swim race in the good ol’ swimming pool where Poppo would constantly tell me he would throw me if I didn’t listen to you.

Helped me dress and choreograph my first solo to P.Y.T. by Michael Jackson, and tore it up with Billy Jean! You had the hat and everything! Remember that oh-so-80’s glittery necklace mom let you wear?

Taught me that MTV was AWESOME and had Prince, Eurythmics, Madonna, U2, Michael Jackson and all the Culture Club records….and YES! Can’t forget Menudo! We LOVED them, don’t deny it!

You took me with you and your friends to the Staten Island Mall on Saturdays and shared your favorite lip gloss and food with me. You even told your friends they had to wait so I could pick out a new outfit for my Barbie.

All our trips to Coney Island (CYCLONE!!!), and Great Adventure. The boardwalks, the icee’s. Summer in the Cat-skills where we all fearlessly did the end of summer talent show!

The jersey shore beach house with the Santangelos’. Ferry rides, fashion school with mom and Sophie in the city. Pizza in Brooklyn….LAUNDRY in Brooklyn!

South Street Seaport.

Windows of the World in the Twin Towers.

Junior’s Cheesecakes where we religiously got the strawberry one.

You and Mandy fighting over ‘the bowl’ at Shaffie’s. Showing me how to spray the Redi-Whip perfectly on my hot chocolate.

Playing that ORGAN!! “Hey, did you hear this beat yet?”

Look at the TV! It’s moving with the songs!!! (At Shaffie's)

The FIRST time we saw THRILLER! We were so scared! We huddled together on the floor next to the couch, screamed so loud…and then asked to watch it again!

(We got the girl’s scream down, and then would re-enact the whole thing!)

A little later down the road; you got me out of my Tomboy stage and dressed me up for one of the mighty 7^th grade Taylor Jr. High dances.

You showed me how to use curlers, apply eyeliner, and how you would kill me if I took your clothes. You took the Young Women’s camping skills literally and had to fashion numerous booby traps so I couldn’t get into your room, and CLOSET!

It wasn’t till you came home from college that we started having more fun, and the phrases: ‘I hate you’, ‘go away’, ‘leave me alone’ etc., etc. were used less between us.

…And yes, we started having more fun. Staying up late and making up hilarious videos, and lip syncing to the songs we couldn’t stand!

Laughing so hard that Mom would come in and yell at us to go to bed.

Helping me get ready for my H.S. dances.

Taking me to school when I was running late. Letting me know I could call you anytime if I didn’t have a ride home from anywhere.

Going shopping together!

Making my Sweet 16 birthday so special aside from the fact I was grounded for a month for sneaking out of the house! (Which is an ENTIRELY different story involving you too)! You got me the V.S. robe I TOTALLY wanted, and all the shower gels and lotions too!

Took me to get my first ‘styled’ haircut. “You hair is so pretty! It’s like a horse’s MANE!!” I wanted to kill her as you busted out laughing behind me.

Got into my first car accident with you…the day AFTER homecoming on our way to the airport. (It wasn’t Sheba’s fault though). Nothing says “Bonding” like a good smash of a car.

You have the BEST sense of humor! Or we’re both just crazy and laugh at the silliest things. “Do you know how to put that CD in?” “Umm, I think I know how to use a radio thank you!....Wait, how do you put this on?”

“Hey, let’s go sit in the back”…meaning the fire escape at Shaffie’s.

“Okay, which key goes in which lock? Did you lock all three? Or do we lock two and leave the other open to mess with robbers if they come?” I swear if anything was going to happen, it would’ve happened while we were trying to figure the freaking locks out!!!

You are one of the most talented and creative people I know. You could take a bag of lemons and make lemonade, lemon pie, lemon meringue, and somehow make a necklace and something to go into a scrapbook with whatever’s left over!

In-n-Out Burger has banned us from coming in after 11, but it was totally worth it! :)

I could hear Sherry now: “Indian Girls Gone Wild!” (Just kidding!) “Skooter Boy!”

Going dancing without you is NEVER the same! “Hey! Chinese fire drill!” Sorry….Debbie Downer said NO!! WOMP- WOOOOOMMMP.

You do SUCH charity work when I come to visit. You get me out of my beach –laid back wear and put me back together with new make-up and clothes. Call it feeling sorry for me, if you will, but I will take it!

Our trips to Nordstrom’s together and sharing a delicious strawberry-vanilla shake!

Sitting down with our little ones in the middle of the mall eating cheese and fruit saying “This is nice.”

Seeing a cute guy walk by and still being able to appreciate that by saying “That is nice!” (Our husbands are very secure) [I’m a married spud, I’m a married spud!”] :)

All our sayings that we only get, and get weird looks by everyone else! ~ Heed! Move now!, Oh shut-up you’re so annoying!...HE, HE!, IIIIII TELLLL YOUUUU!, What DE Hell! (that’s Caribbean), She’s so cooley!, I ‘m feelin’ Irie! (that’s NOT Jamaican!), Well, Good luck with that!”, Who da hey!...WHIP THAT MANE!!

The list goes on and gets sillier so I will spare the rest!

You are the BEST hostess, and I love coming to visit you because it is SERIOUSLY like the best B&B!

You still make MY Birthday special even though I’m so far away!

You don’t follow trends, you MAKE them!

****

…To my sister:

You were there for me when I didn’t have a soul to lean on.

You let me stay with you numerous times when I didn’t want to live at home.

You stuck up for me when I didn’t have a voice. And taught me to not to put up with anybody’s…you know what! (It took a while, but I’ve gotten better!)

You were there when I had to study for chemistry tests, work on dance, break up with boys, and when I left for college.

You have the best recipes, ideas…the best everything!!!. You’re the most loving mother, sister, and daughter I know! You balance so much that, besides mom, you are truly my role model and inspiration to be a better person. Your love for our Heavenly Father, and the faith you have portrayed after all the good and the definite bad we have gone through in our lives is a testimony to me that we were meant to be sisters. You were probably the one TELLING me to be proponent of Heavenly Father’s plan! :)

You have shown me to be myself even if that has meant it wasn’t the same path as others. You have accepted me with my own ideas and views (though some have not come without a fight) and I wouldn’t want it any other way! I love you!

So Happy Belated Birthday to the one and only SHEBA!

...“Everything else is just a knock-off!!!"

Ain't No Party Like an East Coat Party...

...Cuz an East Coast Party Don't STOP!!

LITERALLY!

Okay, I have been way busy and a little under the weather, but needed to update a few things!

I had an awesome 30th birthday. It was seriously a month long full of celebrations that actually ended with John's surprise 30th birthday party! His birthday is 11/13, (lucky 13!) and the past month has been nonstop!

It started out with my mom coming to visit with her best friend that's known me since I was 3. I was so excited to have them here and we had so much fun! I am way into history, and we went to a bunch of museums and historical sites, ate good food, and laughed a lot! My mom is SO fun! And Ursula is so hilarious. She had us going non-stop!

John was totally wonderful and took care of the girls for four days so I could go to VA with them and finish the "colonial tour" and eat more good food. I must admit I cried my eyes out when it was time to say good-bye. I rarely get to see my mom, and I enjoyed having her all to myself (motherly kitchen inspection and all!) My girls loved having Nana here, and we all LOVED her cooking too! My mom is such a good cook, I hope I could be half as good as her some day!

After she left, John and I celebrated 5 years of being married and 12 years of being together (the dates are within a week of each other). Then came Jalen's Birthday, and the official day of my birthday. John watched the girls again for me so I could go shopping and have time for myself. Lovely!

Later on in the month, I celebrated with some girlfriends with a magical (and absolutely fun) night of dinner and dancing!
In between it all came boxes full of delicious and wonderful surprises from family and friends. The best one came from my mom after she left...it was filled with home-made potpourri for the holidays, poems, cakes, tassies, bread, chocolate...just all of my favorite things!

In between all this, John had to leave twice for a week at a time for business. On top of taking care of the girls, being sick, teaching, and running my business; I had a surprise birthday party to plan!

With the help of some of the girls from work, I pulled it off and the night was SOOOO much fun! I think the best part was pulling off the surprise, and getting to spend the night out with my guy.
It was hilarious trying to get him out of the house though, he almost didn't want to go; then he was fighting with our friends that were in charge of bringing him to the party b/c he didn't want to go to the club without me...awww sweet! But I was getting irritated b/c I wanted him there already! He stalled so much, he ended being 20 minutes late! But "The GOOD Surprise" was not wasted!

We are way into cars, I think that was something that I absolutely loved when we first started dating was the love we had for all kinds of automobiles. We both have vehicles we're restoring, and 'Shae' decorated this chocolate sensation of a cake into the front of his '72 C10. (Yes Tera, Pop's truck!)

~~~~~~~~

Ever since John and I have entered parenthood, there have only been 3 babysitters we have called on so we could go out. They were all in the family of my best friends (shout out to the Jones/Keim gals) and all when Jalen was no more than 6-7 months.

Besides turning 30, John and I hit another milestone and actually found an AWESOME babysitter in our ward! I love this family, and felt SO blessed to finally have a reliable, beautiful and responsible girl to call on if we need to. She was laughing at me the night of the party b/c John left so late and I was running around like crazy trying to get ready to leave!
Thanks Sienna for all your help!

This may sound like no big deal to some, but for me, (and those of you who know me best) this was BIG. I don't leave my girls with A-N-Y-O-N-E!!! We have had our family watch them for us, so we get to go out (don't think I'm kidding) about 4-5 times a year when his parents visit, or we go to AZ...which is rare.
The 'Over-Protected Duo' is taking a break!!

Okay, so after the shock wore off, John had a GREAT time and everyone said they had a blast as well. I had it in the VIP room of a club here in the OBX and they catered the whole thing. The food was great, the band was totally awesome, and the DJ ROCKED the house! And you know the dance floor is my home!
John was called up on stage by the lead singer and the whole club sang happy birthday to him! We had a few friends from VA surprise him and come down, and it was so good to be with old friends (and new ones) for the night.

Everyone that came from out-of-town stayed with us, so it was a full house.
We had a great "after-party" staying up till about 3:30-4 just talking and hanging out, catching up and talking about different parts of the night.

I'm leaving so much out, but this is long enough, and I gotta go to bed! Peace Out "ya'll"!

Our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner was fantastic, and now it's back to the grind! Will have to write about that Oh, and Halloween!...another time! Pictures to come as well!

THINGS TO DO IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS:

Finish packing to move in Dec.

Shop for dessert menu for Progressive Dinner (homemade: cannoli's, choc. cupcakes, gingerbread snowflakes, pumpkin cake, truffles.)

COOK like Crazy

Finish details for a wedding next month

Christmas shopping

Dr.'s appt.'s (4 of them)

Did I mention pack?

Meetings with 2 Photographers

Wedding show meeting

Association meetings

Jalen's Christmas project

Gift for Teacher

Work on other blogs

Cure for World Hunger

...Piece of Cake!

A Day Late...

But I didn't forget. HB....

These Small Hours

Today was such a surprise. After church me and the fam went for a ride and met my Relief Society President at the stables to feed her Arabian horse. She's beautiful!

Jalen had a BLAST sitting on her, and Brooklyn was too busy playing with her dogs. We were walking around the property looking at the other horses, and the breeze was so cool and crisp.

We've had such warm weather lately, and believe me I've loved it. But in the blink of an eye, it was Autumn.

Today reminded me of when I was going to school in Pennsylvania. There, in September~ early October the weather jumps into Fall. Before you know it, the leaves are changing and the shades of pink don't linger in the sky as much. I used to LOVE days like these when I lived there. It wasn't too cold yet, and (when I moved out of my step-mother's house) I spent a lot of time outside running, going ATV riding, or just hanging out with friends. It's the time (for me) to pull out an extra blanket and make hot chocolate. Well...anytime is good for hot chocolate!

Pear Tree & Pink Sky

I took this picture on my cell phone so it's not that great, but I wanted to remember this day. Our girls were running in the fields, laughing, playing with horses...just being little girls.
I caught the last of the pink in the sky today, savored memories made years ago and made a new one that will happily remain in my thoughts as well.

No One

I am lame b/c I haven't updated October at all. There's been a whirlwind of things going on, but I'm also out of commission right now.

Thanks to my lovely girlfriends for the fabulous weekend. Will be posting those pic.'s soon.
But for now...

"This goes out to that special person in my life that I couldn't live without all these years."

Yes, someday I will forgive you for taking my camera all those times!!! Hope you're dancing in your car when you hear this on the radio. You know you'll always be one of my best friends.
I know you're not a blogger, I barely count as one. SO as soon as you read this, you can tell me to "blog off" and I won't be mad. Love ya!

...And John - my all time # 1, I love you with all my heart! See you soon.

The Permanent One

Take-Out Tuesday

A few years ago, Sheba's friend Missy made a CD for me and it had a couple of Natasha Bedingfield's songs on it.

I fell in love with her voice and also b/c to me, she had so much feeling that came through in her songs.

I hear certain songs, and like second nature, I'm choreographing a dance in my head.

I finished teaching my classes last night, and played this song while I laid on the floor with my eyes closed. Flashes of memories like a picture book danced through my head.

Music has always been like a best friend to me. It has been there for my ups and downs; getting through the good and the bad. An instant time machine for episodes in your life.
Divorce, re-marriages, sisterhood, moving, parties, heartbreak, happiness, friends, boyfriends, summertime, per chance meetings, disappointments, final goodbyes...the list goes on.

I hear the word 'soul mate' and I think of friends that I have the greatest connection with. Friends and family who are not with me anymore. My sisters who, even though we don't always see eye to eye, I have learned to admire them for their beautiful talents; and that they will be there for me through and through ('not for nothing').

My daughters, who teach me something everyday, and pray that they will know I am there for them today and forever. My husband, who, from our first kiss knew we were instant soul mates; through the good and the bad. He keeps me in check, tells me 'like it is', and loves me through all my stubbornness. He supports me and makes me laugh.

I am grateful for all my soul mates. I am grateful I am here on this earth to appreciate them all.

Clean bill of health this time around.

And-You-Are-IT

OK, my TOTALLY awesome sister TAGGED me a MONTH ago and I've been stalling. Well, I've been busy, but I know she deliberately tagged me because I was making fun of her on the phone about being tagged.

Note to Self: Older sisters always have the upper hand

...(except when we're in Times Square in front of TRL!!!!) Give the Monk a High Five!!


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

Jobs I've had:

1. The Limited
   
2. Photography Studio
   
3. Scout for Modeling Agency
   
4. Supervisor @Fleet Bank Headquarters
   
5. Publicist
   
   

Movie I could watch over again:

1. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
   
2. Gone With the Wind (yes, I know how long it is)
   
3. Clueless
4. Tommy Boy
   
5. Anything with Brad Pitt...[Or Shebs...go see The Kingdom!] ;)
   
6. ACCEPTED
   
7. Can't write them all!
   

Places I've lived:

1. Staten Island & Brooklyn, NY
   
2. Mesa, AZ
   
3. Clarks Summit, PA
   
4. Woodbridge, VA
   
5. Newport News/Yorktown, VA
   

TV Shows:

1. So You Think You Can Dance
   
2. CSI
3. Anything on HGTV & Food Network
   
4. My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding
   
5. Dancing With the Stars
   
6. All the 'Friends' re-runs
7. Law & Order
   
8. Sex and the City
   

Places I've been on Holiday:

1. Trinidad & Tobago
   
2. Cape May/Wildwood
   
3. St. Thomas/St. John
   
4. Ocracoke Island/Pea Island/all of the OBX
   
5. Catskills
6. Ocean City
   
7. Miami/Orlando/Ft. Lauderdale
   
8. Philly
9. San Francisco/San Diego
   
10. Niagra Falls & Ontario, Canada
    
11. SLC/Provo/Bethlehem, Utah
12. Washington, D.C.
13. Connecticut
14. Miami & Orlando, Florida
15. Island Park/Rexburg
    
16. Bethany Beach
    
17. Hamptons
18. The Poconos!!! (ONCE in a lifetime experience)
    
19. NYC...Of Course!
    
20. Springerville/White Mountains/here & there, AZ
    

Favorite Dishes:

1. ANYTHING my Mom makes
   
2. Italian
3. Indian & Caribbean
   
4. Spanish
5. Thai

Websites I visit:

1. Martha Stewart
2. The Knot
   
3. Inside Weddings
   
4. Songmeanings
5. My two Favorite Photographers : Art Louis Photography & Innate Photographics (Kirsten Lewis)
   

Places I'd like to be:

1. Anywhere in the Caribbean with my family!
2. Italy
3. New York City ...................... (My sister wrote all three of these; great minds think alike, b/c all these are the ones I was going to write!)
4. In Bed
   

Tagging:

1. Tara R.
   
2. Tera T.
   
3. 'Mr. Busyman'
   
4. Jennifer R.
5. Dave
6. April S.
   
7. Anyone who feels like doing this!
   

Jumping Off the Cliff...

So the saying: "If your friends jumped off a cliff, would you do it too?!" came to mind while doing this.
So many friends have done this and I did too many months ago,...but actually having the cajones (sorry if spelled that wrong; have lived out of Arimexico too long I suppose) to post it.
This picture is not the best either, but I took a shot.

The first thought that came to mind was "Wha?! I don't think so!"
But hey...I would never turn down a job to be Beyonce's stand in if she ever needed one!....That's Hot. ;) Love that girl.

I think my personality is too silly to pull off any of these people. After Faith Hill was Gwen Stefani. How they figured that I have NO idea, but I loved her before she was on the map so I'll leave that alone!

If anyone hasn't done this yet, you should! It's fun!

Take-Out Tuesday = Throwback Thursday

I have had these songs on my mind for the whole day...and they're all 'goodies but oldies'.
I can't help but have a smile on my face whenever I hear these songs. I think anyone who lived the 80's has a story about these songs!

Love it!



This one is a little saddening for me to hear, but nonetheless, a great song...



Dedicated to all the John Hughes movie lovers:

Libra

I'm not one to keep tabs on my horoscope all the time...sometimes it pops up on my homepage and I thought this was rather interesting and nice. My life is very busy right now and felt a little pessimistic this morning. But I really can turn that frown upside down...especially with good friends coming to visit. It will be a nice break.

You can make real gains as you appear more optimistic
than you truly feel, but your current
progress is about neither fame nor fortune.
It's more about the quality
of your interactions.
Remember, good feelings that come from lasting friendships are,
in themselves, great spiritual blessings that are now
available to you for the asking.

Craving

It's almost five in the morning and all I'm craving is the new Twix PB. I usually keep a stash of my high-end choc-o-late-aye in a 'secret spot', but just like Pooh's Hunney Pot...I'm all out. So unfortunately I have nothing in my house except for the Special K Chocolatey Delight.

That's good and all...but which would you HONESTLY rather have? I really like this cereal, but after a day (and night) like I've had, I want my Twix Fix. Mmmm...

Twinkle Toes

This is why I procrastinated so much. 700 pictures to edit. I'm so tired right now, I can't remember what I added in. I might be adding more later so I figured I'd 'Slide' them since I helped my busy sister create hers.

I do know that Recital Day was very hectic, but a lot of fun! This is Jalen's third show now, and she did great! I know, as a parent it is your right to say that, but I really mean it! John and I were so proud of her. It's days like this that I truly love having little girls!

She was Miss India in her ballet; she kept going around the house all month long "I'm Miss India!" She played the part VERY well I must say. ;)

Then her tap, 'Broadway Baby' was awesome! She sang her little heart out center stage.

**sidestory: On the last week of school, they had a play and Jalen was called on stage to help with a story. After she was done, she took a bow and blew a kiss to the audience and waved as she went offstage. Her teacher said she was going to miss Jalen's 'little' personality. **

After all the sweat, extra practices and raw, torn feet, in the end everything came together and I was so proud of the effort my girls gave. At the beginning of the year, all I asked of them was to give me their 100%, and (besides a few teen-age meltdowns) they did.

Congratulations to Alexis who got accepted into the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive Program, and Dori for continuing her dance at NC State. Oh, and Tara! Who was chosen to perform with (specific name that I can't remember right now) Russian Ballet, and then onto New York!!

Well...no time to catch my breath. On to prepare for the coming year!

Big Girl Now

So...June came and went, and I have been wanting to write about all the 'fun', but really, I've been procrastinating because it just takes too long to write about.

I figure if I break it down it might be a little easier. So I'm starting with the most exciting part from June and that is when Ms. Bella (Isabella) "graduated" from Grade K.

We can't believe our little girl is already out of Kindergarten. I still can't believe she's going to be 6 in September!...and I can't believe I have a 6 yr. old. My friends that have like, 12 kids laugh when I say that...but it's true!

She was so funny her last day saying "Mom, now that I'm going to be in first grade, I can use the phone to call my friends without asking you or Daddy." Hmmm....



I was very nervous her first day of school. We were in a new town, and a new school and she knew no one. I should have known not to worry though. She made wonderful little friends...and to my surprise... the boy in the background showing his muscles claimed to be Jalen's boyfriend and 'Power Ranger Protector'.






















And most importantly, she had an amazing teacher. She was one of the most easy-going,helping, and nicest Kindergarten teachers there. John and I were so grateful for that!
She made Jalen's first year at her elementary school a fun and memorable one!

Slow Motion Running At Its Best

They have brought back The Bionic Woman!!! A few new twists, but totally excited to see what the show is like. Interested if they'll bring the infamous Fembot episodes back.

My sisters and I used to watch this all the time!

We would fight about who got to be Jamie Sommers so much, that in our version, she had two other sisters that had bionic powers as well.

(the new bionic woman)

I'm so sad I won't have anyone to make the 'bionic' sound with anymore while running in slow motion.

"Take-Out Tuesday"

So a fellow New Yorker friend and I had this thing called 'Take-Out-Tuesday' when I lived in Virginia. We had a lot of fun together, and laughed more at each others' cynical, blunt behavior more than anything else. (Although, I think I made her laugh a lot more with just being plain ol' gullible with certain things...I have my mom to thank for that.)

After work we would meet at each others' houses, bring take-out and a stack of CD's. We would randomly pick 3 out of each stack and reminisce on oldies, laugh at the one-hit-wonders, or be totally excited that we got a new CD to listen to.
She was thoughtful to my dedication to music, and when I told her about my favorite Alanis CD being stolen in Port Authority (along with 100 other of my favorites) she surprised me by playing it and giving it to me when I went home.

I did a similar thing in college with my roommate, but without the designated night for take-out...or CD's. (Since almost every night was a take-out night).
For some reason, our girlfriends always migrated to our house so we had random nights just hanging out and listening to music. Nonetheless, I always had fun.

I am always interested in other peoples' taste in music because I feel it tells a lot about them, and also gives me a chance to expand on my own knowledge and thirst for songs and artists.

I love all different kinds of music, and try not to inhibit myself to liking one genre.
So, here's my 'Take-Out-Tuesday' picks:

What Kind of Chocolate Are You?

A friend of mine sent me this site with these funny quizzes in it, and of course I had to do this one!

You are Milk Chocolate

A total dreamer, you spend most of your time with your head in the clouds. You often think of the future, and you are always working toward your ideal life. Also nostalgic, you rarely forget a meaningful moment... even those from long ago.

You Are A Chocolate Ice Cream Girl

Dramatic. Powerful. Flirty.

What Flavor Ice Cream Girl Are You?

How NYC Are You?

For my peeps from NYC... Brenda, it's still a NY license! :)

You Are 88% NYC

Congratulations, you are truly a New Yorker. You've seen it all, and you're more than a little cynical.

How NYC Are You?

AWWWW! Cute!

Since I have two little girls, I am all about buying the cute stuff. I LOVE these hair ribbon-clips.
Form totally meet function, with a little 'pretty' on the side!

Last Week I....

- Took husband to hospital
-Got rear-ended w/kids in car
-Had exterminator over because of TERMITES!
-Chased child ALL over the house b/c she kept taking her diaper off!
-Bought more diapers
-Started Damage Control on wedding that was called off by Guy
-Took husband to hospital....again
-Find out Mom was in hospital
-Clean office desk
-Clean cereal thrown all over kitchen
-Was told friend has cancer
-Other friend is about to have baby after trying for almost 6 years...very happy news!!!
-May have to see the doctor, yet again
-Daughter learned to say 'truck'...but comes out as"F......" (damage control on that as well)
-Clean, clean clean
-Pack, pack, pack
-Find travel case for car seat
-Had a cool Mother's Day...
-Even though I had to teach R.S. lesson that day...totally nervous
-Get ready for next week!

Dating Stories 101

I was out with my girlfriends a little bit ago when we started talking about Good Dates Gone Bad.
I don't know if it's just that funny or pathetic the amount of stories we had about these 'gentlemen' we dated.

In college, I was dating this guy that was an amazing baseball player. He started his career on the Yankees minor league. I can say I knew him when he was a small town P-L-A-Y-E-R.

We were totally into each other, studying together, talking forever on the phone, etc., etc., when my good friend (at the time) was having a huge birthday party at her house.
It was close to the end of the semester so everyone was kind of anxious for finals to be over, school to be out, and parties to begin.

Well...in the tradition of girl going out with boy, he picked me up and we went to this party together. I was designated driver, so I took his keys when we got there.

We were all talking about plans for the summer, work, if anyone had summer school...all that. The music was the fashionable, and never-miss-a-beat type for a party; all attention to the girl of the night, my best friend. I was so excited for her and happy that she was having a good time.

Then, about 15 minutes later, after a conversation with another girlfriend, I realize Mr. Yankee is nowhere to be found. I walk into the house, past the loud speakers, almost to the kitchen....when I hear a loud BANG from the bathroom. "What was that?!", my other good friend says.
I'm about to say 'I don't know'; when BFF's laughter comes through the door.

I went numb.

My friend and I just look at each other in disbelief. 'Is this REALLY happening?!!'
I walked out the front door into a slew of his friends asking where he was. I was so mad but all that came out was, "I don't know!"
About five minutes later, his friend comes out looking at me shaking his head, apologizing for what a **** Mr. Yankee was. I didn't want to make a big deal in front of everyone. I didn't want to show that I was really pissed, and then hurt. So I said nothing.

I sat there pretending to have a good time for 2 1/2 hours. Then I reached my breaking point. I realized I had his keys, and did the only honorable thing a designated driver would do.
I made sure he wouldn't be driving that night.

I started walking to the street and told my friend to follow me. He didn't even ask me where we were going. I took his keys from my pocket, stuck it in the ignition and drove a half-hour out of the way and parked at a grocery store.

I could have taken the higher road that night....I could have.

Part 2

My friend didn't say anything about the 'incident' to me on the way back to the party, just tried to make me laugh. And I did....all the way to school that following Monday. Walking to class, I ran into my EX-BFF and she tried to justify her actions. She really had nothing to do with it, she didn't know what she was doing...blah, blah, blah. After the first 10 seconds I just started hearing the voice of Charlie Brown's teacher.

After my 2nd class, I heard that Mr. Ex was still telling people that were together! That's funny, did I look like that big of a push-over?? I walked right past him into the lounge where a friend of mine ("Zeller") re-introduced me to his cousin.

I remembered meeting him the beginning of the year, and he was cute and funny; yet I was NOT interested. He asked me what was wrong, and usually I would be quiet and say nothing, but I just didn't care about protecting people who hurt me anymore. So I told him how my boyfriend and best friend "laughed" in the bathroom the night of her birthday party.

The three of us hung out for the rest of the hour and I left for work at the wonderful headquarters of Fleet Bank. Thinking how guys and girls just totally sucked, I realized I left my candy in the lounge. Not that it was a big deal, but chocolate was my only friend at that moment. I walked back in and Zeller's cousin was walking towards me with my confidant. "Thanks Eddie! I needed that."
"You're welcome, but my name is John."

....It's a good thing I married him.

Oh, It's What You Do To Me...

A few months ago I was drifting off to sleep around 3AM when I heard a song on the 'tele' that made me open my eyes.

It was a guy singing about missing his girl that was away at school.

He asks her what it's like where she is, comparing her to Times Square, that the distance won't matter soon...two more years and they'll be together.

He sings about understanding how much she misses him and that all she needs to do is close her eyes and he's right there.

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

When I left AZ to move back home to the East Coast, I was really upset at first.

Then, the more I thought about it, the more I really didn't care about leaving. There were only a few people I was really going to miss and besides my 'Mummy' and sister, the top 2 people were my best friend Cilyn....and my 'guy'.

My first year of college in a new town, a full credit load, full work load, and a b**** for a step-mother really made me miss all my familiarities even more. The only thing I would look forward to was getting in the car and driving back to NY on the weekends. I felt like I regained my strength for the coming week on those weekends home. I felt like me again.



We wrote SO many letters to each other, it came out to like, 3 a week, sometimes 5! --(this was before email's kids).
I looked forward to his phone calls, and on (what was then) the 2 train into the city, I would take his letters and read them one by one all over again. Some would make me laugh, some would make me cry. And all of them gave me the bittersweet feeling of knowing that someone loved me and missed me as much as I did him...Then the twisting pains in my heart would kick in and knock the breath out of me.

I would run my fingers over the engraved words imagining him writing them, wishing I was there to talk to him in person rather than seeing his affection on paper.
All I wanted to do was throw my arms around him, and he was thousands of miles away.

We had a lot of songs that we would write about or tape record that reminded us of each other. When I hear those songs on the radio from time to time they take me back a lifetime.

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

Lying in bed, I heard those words this boy was singing and the overwhelming feeling I got was of those times when I read his letters...sitting on my bed, on the train, walking to a store in the middle of New York in that same exact way this girl was walking.
Just walking with this distant look on her face. Thinking..."Two more years and I'll be done. He'll be here, and we'll be together. Just get through living where you are, doing what you're doing, (dealing with a jerk of a dad).... and it will be worth it, and better in the end."

It's so funny that in the moments of being in love, you think nothing will ever compare to, or feel like that again.

I turned off the TV, and started drifting to sleep when I thought about that chapter in my life. That song totally captured the long distant part of our relationship, and the care we had for one another.

I never thought I would find someone that would understand me and love me the way he did. But I did, and so much more.

And all I had to do was throw my arms around him, and fall asleep.

Baby's Comin Out of the Corner!

I remember when Dirty Dancing first came out, and all the hype that came with it: the title was too daring, should it really be only a PG-13 rating?!, blah, blah, blah.

My older sister was questioned before she could watch it: who are you seeing it with, are you going during the daytime, look away if the dancers are getting a little too close, etc.
All that was parent talk for "NO BOYS!" I'm assuming....which at the end, I think she was still denied permission.

My mother and step-father were among those that rented it when it came out on video, and told me I couldn't come out of my room for the rest of the night...and believe me I tried.

Anyway, all that work just for me to go over to my best friend's house and watch it there during a sleepover.
I remember us sitting on her couch eyes fixed on Patrick Swayze and in such "melt like buttah" (that phrase was actually said a few times that night) mode when he grabbed Baby to dance for the first time.
Two silly schoolgirls we were for the rest of the night as we soaked in the whole flick, and jumping for joy when Johnny came back for Baby before their big dance seen...and the LIFT!

A couple weeks later we went to another friend's sleepover and watched it there while her older brothers were in charge. Such rebels we were...




I am so excited that this movie is coming back to the big screen! For TWO nights only, and my girls and I have tickets for the Tuesday night show! I can't wait!

Some may think I'm crazy, or going a little overboard by seeing a movie that's been on video since I was 11, but c'mon!...It's Dirty Dancing!

So here's to Tiffany and Wendy ~~ Hope you'll be at the theaters one of the nights with some of your friends and mouthing "I carried a watermelon?!", too!

Thirty Second Thoughts

I just got an email from my oldest friend who I went to school with in Staten Island, NY. She sent me pictures of her little boys and I couldn't believe how:

1.) Adorable and TOTALLY handsome they are, and

2.) How much her first little boy looks SO much like her!


It reminded me of the first day of school at St. Paul's standing in the yard, all of us in line in our blue uniforms. I looked over at her standing with her dad and thought she looked like how I felt.

I really don't know how we became friends; maybe it was from our first grade teacher pairing us to sing all the time, or our love of Hulk Hogan and Junkyard Dog from watching Wrestling Sunday mornings, but it was just natural that we were.

I starting thinking about all the awesome things I got to do (and took for granted) living in my home-state...city.

We lived on the 15th floor of a high-rise apartment building overlooking Hudson River. Our alarm clock was the 7:00 Ferry leaving the St. George Terminal. Looking out my mother's bedroom window I could see the Statue of Liberty, and out on our balcony was the whole view of Manhattan.



I remember the 200th Celebration of 4th of July. The Goodyear Blimp floated right in-between our two buildings. You could almost reach out and touch it! The river was packed with boats and beautiful yachts, and I think the President was out there giving a speech.
We always had the best seat when the fireworks began, and it was so beautiful how their reflection glistened over the water.

One of my favorite memories was when my mom would take me to Snug Harbor to feed the ducks. It was a beautiful place that felt miles away from all the hustle of the New York life.
Maybe I have glamorized it in my mind because of the sentimental value it holds; but I loved it no less.

On the few weekends my sisters and I would see my dad, we had a ritual every Sunday morning that was actually a pretty nice memory...I appreciate them considering they came few in-between with him.
My stepmother would always order a cheesecake from the best place in the world (Junior's) and after breakfast, she would cut a slice for all of us. I grew up on that, Italian Icee's and Gelato's from this awesome Italian Pizzeria across the street. I know I'm biased, but NY has the best Pizza ever.
I miss the Haagen-Dazs in Park Slope, and the record shop next door to it. I bought my first U2 TAPE there!

Upon leaving to go back to my mom's house, we would get these Jamaican Beef Patties from this Caribbean pastry shop and they were SO good! I always tried ordering the spicy one, but my dad would switch it to mild.

I thought about all this and more in a matter of thirty seconds after getting that email from my old friend. It's amazing all the memories that flash through your mind like lightning in a storm.

I'll have to write about other 'thirty second thoughts' when I feel homesick again.

Something to Look Into!!!

This is upsetting.  Thought I should pass it along.  Check your Drivers license...

Now you can see anyone's Driver's License on the Internet, including your own!

 This is typical of the Federal Government.

Remove yours now!  Even shows your SSN!  I just searched for mine and there
it was...picture and all.
Thanks Homeland Security, where is our right to privacy?

I definitely removed mine; I suggest you all do the same.



Go to the website and check it out.
Just enter your name, City and State to see if yours is on file.  
After your license comes on the screen, click the box marked "Please Remove."
This will remove it from public viewing, but not from law enforcement.
           
    www.license.shorturl.com

Close To Home

Easter(n) Holiday

I love Easter. In New York, my mother started a tradition of awesome cinnamon rolls and quiche for breakfast.

We had out-of-the norm Easter Egg Hunts too that are still so memorable.
Our branch in Staten Island used to have a hunt for all the kids the day before and that was a lot of fun.
I remember finding one in a tree one year and scraped my leg getting it out.

I saw this and for some reason reminded me of that (don't ask me why). I think I am going to make it with my girls and hope it comes out just as pretty!

Although I think anything seen on the Martha Stewart website needs to come with a disclaimer.

MySpace

My family and I have been in our new house for about 2 1/2 months now and ever since we've moved in, we've had a slight problem with a few of the neighborhood kids...about eight of them.

We have a pretty long drive way and it's at an angle which is perfect for catching speed for skateboards, bikes, scooters, heelys' and whatever else they can find with wheels.

We've told them in the nicest way to please not ride on our property and to not play around the cars. My husband has two old trucks that he's restoring and are both in the garage, and those are his prized possessions. You can imagine his "dismay" when he came home to find a huge dent in the hood of one of his babies. I thought he was going snap when he saw another dent in the grill.

The blow might have been a little easier to bear if, when we had spoken to a few of the parents; they would understand and tell their children it's not right to play in other people's property...but basically the answer was that they can't really control their snotty little brats.

I have to admit I was pretty pissed as well. I am very picky about my space and my things. I don't like anyone invading my territory.

I saw a movie last night that for some reason had a bear riding in the rear of an Ice-Cream truck. These two men were driving around with the little Ice-Cream truck jingle on and all these kids were running to the window in hopes of a cool treat.

Instead this huge bear thrusted his head out the window and roared as if to try and grab a treat himself.
All the kids stopped in their tracks and screamed their heads off while running the other direction.

I told John that were were showing our age when WE have turned into the people of the house WE would be riding our bikes on as a kid.

I guess he didn't care because after seeing that segment, all he could say while
laughing was "I would love to do that to all these damn kids."

Cool To Be Kind

Two more days till the end of Random Acts of Kindness Week.
But it doesn't have to stop there!


'I Have Always Relied On the Kindness of Strangers':

- Opening the door for me when I have my huge stroller

- Picking something up I may have dropped

- Returning change when I have walked away too fast

- Forgotten a bag in the shopping cart

- Pushing my car to the gas station when I broke down (test driving a new car)

- Policeman letting me out of a ticket after a BAD day

- Postal worker keeping his window open for me at the last minute to pick up a package

- Extra carton of mashed potatoes from KFC when wisdom teeth were pulled

- Free 'Chocolate Lover's Fantasy' drink from my favorite shoppe

- Letting me cut in line at the movie theater bathroom when I was pregnant

- Leaving cookies on my doorstep

- Bringing a tiny shoe back to me...that my daughter threw out of her stroller

- Staying with me to fill out a police report in Port Authority when my luggage was stolen at 2AM.
(one of the WORST days ever)


"The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer somebody else up" - Mark Twain

Bullets and Bracelets

Word has been out for a little while now that Hollywood is going to make a Wonder Woman movie. No one could be more thrilled than me.

Growing up, I had EVERYTHING Wonder Woman. I loved Lynda Carter. My mother went through A LOT of foil and styrofoam cups because I would make her bullet reflectors out of them.

Then there was the dreaded Sunday mornings. I would INSIST on wearing my Wonder Woman bathing suit to church. I fought and fought thinking in my 3 year old way, how cool it would be to wear my suit.

I would bring my Wonder Woman doll and wear my bracelets made out of foil. I really don't know how my mom didn't kill me, and actually got me to put on my Sunday dress. I DO know there were times that she missed church because of me, and the days we DID make it, she would get me up at 6:30 AM to get me dressed...more like give her time to negotiate with me out of wearing my coveted bathing suit.
We had church at 10.

She finally bought me a newer Wonder Woman shirt that she would be able to cover with a plaid jumper for Church...it would be like my secret identity. That is, until I stood on her chair in her Sunday School class and yelled to everyone that I WAS Wonder Woman. Our 1st Counselor (in that branch) TO THIS DAY still refers to me as Wonder Woman.

(Brooklyn in my first WW shirt...wasn't happy to take that picture)

Anyway, I'm really not trying to get my hopes up on the movie, or try to figure out what plot Hollywood is going to give it. I am, however, interested to see who they will pick as Wonder Woman herself.

I must say I will be very disappointed if they choose someone that doesn't live up to the Lynda Carter Standard. I wonder "Will they know the full Diana Prince/Wonder Woman turn?, How to swing her lasso just right?"

....What I wouldn't give to fly in her invisible airplane.

Get Inspi(red)

My business tagline is Love...Inspired. I chose that when I first started my lovely job because I feel like love is an inspiring thing, and I want it to bring out the best of people and their relationships.

Music has always inspired me in many aspects of my life, and especially in relationships. Anyone who knows me will tell you that U2 is my favorite band.

When Bono and Bobby Shriver of DATA started (PRODUCT) RED, and joined GAP in selling these shirts, I immersed myself with information about the reasoning behind this campaign.

The color of these shirts are red representing the blood running through us, keeping our bodies alive, the substance that is passed down to our children and bonding us to our families.

I am a good example of having an "extended family". Not just steps, and halves; but friends as well. I have met some extaordinary people in my life, lucky enough to have them as friends, and blessed to feel like they're family.

There are many people that have touched my life, have inspired me to do and be more than I thought I could do.

I also got to thinking of what other things inspires me in my life. What can I do to help inspire others to be the best they can be?

Do you ever ask yourself "Would I have the strength to do that if it weren't for this person, or that?"

This is not to say that I haven't accomplished things and ideas on my own; I definitely have. But I think there's a part in all of us that holds us back a little from whatever because of a fear.

I feel like this is the year to change that.

As human beings we are capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for. From the everyday parental duties, to hobbies flourishing into possibly something bigger. Realizing your talents and taking them to the next level.

We all can't fly to Africa and help the men, women and children that are dying. But we can help the cause. Help your community, volunteer, have a friend teach you something, develop your true being.

Become Inspi(red).